Soybean cultivar EC1661470

ABSTRACT

The present invention is in the field of soybean variety EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 and its seed, cells, germplasm, plant parts, and progeny, and methods of using EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 in a breeding program.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/808,492, filed Feb. 21, 2019, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of soybean cultivar breeding anddevelopment. The present invention particularly relates to the soybeancultivar EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 and its seed,cells, germplasm, plant parts, and progeny, and its use in a breedingprogram.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Soybean Glycine max (L) is an important oil seed crop and a valuablefield crop. However, it began as a wild plant. This plant and a numberof other plants have been developed into valuable agricultural cropsthrough years of breeding and development. The pace of the developmentof soybeans, into an animal foodstuff and as an oil seed hasdramatically increased in the last one hundred years. Planned programsof soybean breeding have increased the growth, yield and environmentalhardiness of the soybean germplasm.

Due to the sexual reproduction traits of the soybean, the plant isbasically self-pollinating. A self-pollinating plant permits pollen fromone flower to be transferred to the same or another flower of the sameplant. Cross-pollination occurs when the flower is pollinated withpollen from a different plant; however, soybean cross-pollination is arare occurrence in nature.

Thus the growth and development of new soybean germplasm requiresintervention by the breeder into the pollination of the soybean. Thebreeders' methods of intervening depends on the type of trait that isbeing bred. Soybeans are developed for a number of different types oftraits including morphology (form and structure), phenotypiccharacteristics, and for traits like growth, day length, relativematurity, temperature requirements, initiation date of floral orreproductive development, fatty acid content, insect resistance, diseaseresistance, nematode resistance, fungal resistance, herbicideresistance, tolerance to various environmental factors like drought,heat, wet, cold, wind, adverse soil condition and also for yield. Thegenetic complexity of the trait often drives the selection of thebreeding method.

Due to the number of genes within each chromosome, millions of geneticcombinations exist in the breeders' experimental soybean material. Thisgenetic diversity is so vast that a breeder cannot produce the same twocultivars twice using the exact same starting parental material. Thus,developing a single variety of useful commercial soybean germplasm ishighly unpredictable, and requires intensive research and development.

The development of new soybeans comes through breeding techniques, suchas: recurrent selection, mass selections, backcrossing, single seeddescent and multiple seed procedure. Additionally, marker assistedbreeding allows more accurate movement of desired alleles or evenspecific genes or sections of chromosomes to be moved within thegermplasm that the breeder is developing. RFLP, RAPD, AFLP, SSR, SNP,SCAR, and isozymes are some of the forms of markers that can be employedin breeding soybeans or in moving traits into soybean germplasm. Otherbreeding methods are known and are described in various plant breedingor soybean textbooks.

When a soybean variety is being employed to develop a new soybeanvariety or an improved variety, the selection methods may includebackcrossing, pedigree breeding, recurrent selection, marker assistedselection, modified selection and mass selection or a combination ofthese methods. The efficiency of the breeding procedure along with thegoal of the breeding are the main factors for determining whichselection techniques are employed. A breeder continuously evaluates thesuccess of the breeding program and therefore the efficiency of anybreeding procedures. The success is usually measured by yield increase,commercial appeal and environmental adaptability of the developedgermplasm.

The development of new soybean cultivars most often requires thedevelopment of hybrid crosses (some exceptions being initial developmentof mutants directly through the use of the mutating agent, certainmaterials introgressed by markers, or transformants made directlythrough transformation methods) and the selection of progeny. Hybridscan be achieved by manual manipulation of the sexual organs of thesoybean or by the use of male sterility systems. Breeders often try toidentify true hybrids by a readily identifiable trait or the visualdifferences between inbred and hybrid material. These heterozygoushybrids are then selected and repeatedly selfed and reselected to formnew homozygous soybean lines.

Mass and recurrent selection can be used to improve populations. Severalparents are intercrossed and plants are selected based on selectedcharacteristics like superior yield or excellent progeny resistance.Outcrossing to a number of different parents creates fairly heterozygousbreeding populations.

Pedigree breeding is commonly used with two parents that possessfavorable, complementary traits. The parents are crossed to form a F1hybrid. The progeny of the F1 hybrid is selected and the best individualF2s are selected; this selection process is repeated in the F3 and F4generations. The inbreeding is carried forward and at approximatelyF5-F7 the best lines are selected and tested in the development stagefor potential usefulness in a selected geographic area.

In backcross breeding a genetic allele or loci is often transferred intoa desirable homozygous recurrent parent. The trait from the donor parentis tracked into the recurrent parent. The resultant plant is bred to beessentially the same as the recurrent parent, with the same physiologyand morphological characteristics as the recurrent part, with the newdesired allele or loci.

The single-seed descent method involves use of a segregating plantpopulation for harvest of one seed per plant. Each seed sample isplanted and the next generation is formed. When the F2 lines areadvanced to approximately F6 or so, each plant will be derived from adifferent F2. The population will decline due to failure of some seeds,so not all F2 plants will be represented in the progeny.

New varieties must be tested thoroughly to compare their developmentwith commercially available soybeans. This testing usually requires atleast two years and up to six years of comparisons with other commercialsoybeans. Varieties that lack the entire desirable package of traits canbe used as parents in new populations for further selection or aresimply discarded. The breeding and associated testing process is 6 to 8to 12 years' of work prior to development of a new variety. Thousands ofvarietal lines are produced but only a few lines are selected in eachstep of the process. Thus the breeding system is like a funnel withnumerous lines and selections in the first few years and fewer and fewerlines in the middle years until one line is selected for the finaldevelopment testing.

The selected line or variety will be evaluated for its growth,development and yield. These traits of a soybean are a result of thevariety's genetic potential interacting with its environment. Allvarieties have a maximum yield potential that is predetermined by itsgenetics. This hypothetical potential for yield is only obtained whenthe environmental conditions are near perfect. Since perfect growthconditions do not exist, field experimentation is necessary to providethe environmental influence and to measure its effect on the developmentand yield of the soybean. The breeder attempts to select for an elevatedsoybean yield potential under a number of different environmentalconditions.

Selecting for good soybean yield potential in different environmentalconditions is a process that requires planning based on the analysis ofdata in a number of seasons. Identification of the varieties carrying asuperior combination of traits, which will give consistent yieldpotential, is a complex science. The desirable genotypic traits in thevariety can often be masked by other plant traits, unusual weatherpatterns, diseases, and insect damage. One widely employed method ofidentifying a superior plant with such genotypic traits is to observeits performance relative to commercial and experimental plants inreplicated studies. These types of studies give more certainty to thegenetic potential and usefulness of the plant across a number ofenvironments.

In summary, the goal of the soybean plant breeder is to produce new andunique soybeans and progeny of the soybeans for farmers' commercial cropproduction. To accomplish this, the plant breeder painstakingly crossestwo or more varieties or germplasm. Then the results of this cross arerepeatedly selfed or backcrossed to produce new genetic patterns. Neweravenues for producing new and unique genetic alleles in soybeans includeintroducing (or creating) mutations or transgenes into the geneticmaterial of the soybean are now in practice in the breeding industry.These genetic alleles can alter pest resistance such as diseaseresistance, insect resistance, nematode resistance, herbicideresistance, or they can alter the plant's environmental tolerances, orits seeds fatty acid compositions, the amount of oil produced, and/orthe amino acid/protein compositions of the soybean plant or its seed.

The traits a breeder selects for when developing new soybeans are drivenby the ultimate goal of the end user of the product. Thus if the goal ofthe end user is to resist a certain plant disease so overall more yieldis achieved, then the breeder drives the introduction of genetic allelesand their selection based on disease resistant levels shown by theplant. On the other hand, if the goal is to produce specific fatty acidcomposition, with for example a high level of oleic acid and/or a lowerlevel of linolenic acid, then the breeder may drive the selection ofgenetic alleles/genes based on inclusion of mutations or transgenes thatalter the levels of fatty acids in the seed. Reaching this goal mayallow for the acceptance of some lesser yield potential or other lessdesirable agronomic trait.

The new genetic alleles being introduced into soybeans are widening thepotential uses and markets for the various products and by-products ofthe oil from seed plants such as soybean. A major product extracted fromsoybeans is the oil in the seed. Soybean oil is employed in a number ofretail products such as cooking oil, baked goods, margarines and thelike. Another useful product is soybean meal, which is a component ofmany foods and animal feedstuffs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention relates to seed of a soybean cultivardesignated EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 Theinvention relates to the plant from the seed designated EC1661152,EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249, the plant parts, or a plant cellof the soybean cultivar designated EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291,AND/OR EC1661249. The invention also encompasses a tissue culture ofregenerable cells, cells or protoplasts being from a tissue selectedfrom the group consisting of: leaves, pollen, embryos, meristematiccells, roots, root tips, anthers, flowers, ovule, seeds, stems, pods,petals and the cells thereof.

The invention in one aspect covers a soybean plant, or parts thereof, ora cell of the soybean plant, having all of the physiological andmorphological characteristics of the soybean variety of the invention.

Another aspect of this invention is the soybean plant seed or derivedprogeny which contains a transgene which provides herbicide resistance,fungal resistance, insect resistance, resistance to disease, resistanceto nematodes, male sterility, or which alters the oil profiles, thefatty acid profiles, the amino acids profiles or other nutritionalqualities of the seed.

Another aspect of the current invention is a soybean plant furthercomprising a single locus conversion. In one embodiment, the soybeanplant is defined as comprising the single locus conversion and otherwisecapable of expressing all of the morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of soybean variety EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291,AND/OR EC1661249. In particular embodiments of the invention, the singlelocus conversion may comprise a transgenic gene which has beenintroduced by genetic transformation into the soybean variety EC1661152,EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 or a progenitor thereof. In stillother embodiments of the invention, the single locus conversion maycomprise a dominant or recessive allele. The locus conversion maycomprise potentially any trait upon the single locus converted plant,including male sterility, herbicide resistance, disease resistance,insect resistance, modified fatty acid metabolism, modified carbohydratemetabolism, abiotic stress tolerance, drought tolerance, stresstolerance, modified nutrient deficiency tolerances, or resistance tobacterial disease, fungal disease, nematode disease, or viral disease.The single locus conversion may comprise phytase, fructosyltransferase,levansucrase, alpha-amylase, invertase, starch branching enzyme, or forexample, may encode an antisense of stearyl-ACP desaturase. The locusconversion may confer herbicide tolerance, where the tolerance isconferred to an herbicide selected from the group consisting ofglyphosate, glufosinate, acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors,hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibitors, protoporphyrinogenoxidase (PPO) inhibitors, phytoene desaturase (PDS) inhibitors,photosystem II (PSII) inhibitors, dicamba and 2,4-D. The locusconversion may comprise QTLs which may affect a desired trait.

The locus conversion may also comprise a site-specific recombinationsite, such as an FRT site, Lox site, and/or other recombination sitesfor site-specific integration. This includes the introduction of atleast one FRT site that may be used in the FLP/FRT system and/or a Loxsite that may be used in the Cre/Lox system. For example, see Lyznik etal. (2003) Plant Cell Rep 21:925-932; and WO99/25821, which are herebyincorporated by reference. Other systems that may be used include theGin recombinase of phage Mu (Maeser et al. (1991) Mol Gen Genet230:170-176); the Pin recombinase of E. coli (Enomoto et al. (1983) JBacteriol 156:663-668); and the R/RS system of the pSRI plasmid (Arakiet al. (1992) J Mol Biol 182:191-203).

This invention embodies a method of introducing a desired trait, or ofsingle locus conversion, into soybean variety derived from EC1661152,EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 wherein the method comprises: (a)crossing a EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 plant witha plant of another soybean variety that comprises the locus or desiredtrait to produce F1 progeny plants; (b) selecting one or more F1 progenyplants from step (a) that have the desired trait or locus to produceselected progeny plants; (c) selfing the selected progeny plants of step(b) or crossing the selected progeny plants of step (b) with theEC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 plants to produce lategeneration selected progeny plants; (d) crossing or further selectingfor later generation selected progeny plants that have the desired traitor locus and physiological and morphological characteristics of soybeanvariety EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 to produceselected next later generation progeny plants; and optionally (e)repeating crossing or selection of later generation progeny plants toproduce progeny plants that comprise the desired trait or locus and allof the physiological and morphological characteristics of said desiredtrait and of soybean variety EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OREC1661249 when grown in the same location and in the same environment.The locus or desired trait may confer male sterility, herbicideresistance, disease resistance, insect resistance, modified fatty acidmetabolism, modified carbohydrate metabolism, or resistance to bacterialdisease, fungal disease or viral disease.

The present invention further provides a method for producing a soybeanseed with the steps of crossing at least two parent soybean plants andharvesting the hybrid soybean seed, wherein at least one parent soybeanplant is the present invention. Another aspect of the invention providesthe hybrid soybean seed and the progeny soybean plant and resultantseed, or parts thereof from the hybrid seed or plant or its progeny,including a plant cell from the hybrid plant or its progeny.

In an additional aspect, the invention covers a method for producing asoybean progeny from the invention by crossing soybean line EC1661152,EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 with a second soybean plant toyield progeny soybean seed and then growing progeny soybean seed todevelop a derived soybean line.

Yet another aspect of the invention covers a method for a breedingprogram using plant breeding techniques which employ the soybean plantEC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 as plant breedingmaterial and performing breeding by selection techniques, backcrossing,pedigree breeding, marker enhanced selection, locus conversion, mutationand transformation. A single locus conversion of a site-specificrecombination system allows for the integration of multiple desiredtraits at a known recombination site in the genome.

In an additional aspect, the invention covers a method for producing aninbred soybean plant derived from soybean variety EC1661152, EC1661470,EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 by crossing soybean line EC1661152,EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 with a second soybean plant toyield progeny soybean seed, and then growing a progeny plant andcrossing said plant with itself or a second progeny plant to produce aprogeny plant of a subsequent generation, and then repeating these stepsfor further subsequent generations to produce an inbred soybean plantderived from soybean variety EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OREC1661249.

In another aspect, the invention covers the plant produced by themethods described above, or a selfed progeny thereof, wherein the plantor selfed progeny comprises the desired trait, single locus, or loci andotherwise comprises essentially all of the physiological andmorphological characteristics of soybean variety EC1661152, EC1661470,EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 when grown in the same location and in thesame environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following data is used to describe and enable the present soybeaninvention.

Common Name Code Name Description Cyst Nematode Race 14 CN14R CN14RGreenhouse Cyst Nematode Race 14 1 = R, CN14R 3 = MR, 5 = seg, 9 = SCyst Nematode Race 3 CN3_R CN3_R Greenhouse Cyst Nematode Race 3 1 = R,CN3_R 3 = MR, 5 = seg, 9 = S Dead Leaves DL_R DL_R Dead Leaves Rating(when not sure what cause) Early Plot Appearance EPA_R Early PlotAppearance—emergence, evenness of stand V2-V6 Emergence EMRGR EMRGREmerge Emergence 1 to 9 (1 = best) Flower Color FL_CR FL_CR FL_CR FlowerColor 1 = W = White; 2 = P = Purple; 9 = Seg = Segregating (Mixture ofColors) Frogeye Leaf Spot FELSR FELS Frogeye Leaf Spot rating 1-9 (1 =best) Grain Yield at harvest YGHMN YGHMN Grain Yield at Harvest Moisturemoisture Grain Yield at Std MST YGSMN Yield Grain Yield at StandardMoisture—(Qt/H) Green Lodging GLDGR GLDGR GrnLod Green Lodging Rating R5to R6 1 = All erect; 5 = 45 degree; 9 = flat Green Stem GS_R GS_RGrnStem Green Stem rating 1-9 (1 = best) Harvest Appearance HVAPR HVAPROveral Harvest Appearance 1 = best; 5 = average; 9 = Poor HarvestLodging HLDGR HLDGR HrvstLod Harvest Lodging 1 = All erect; 5 = 45degree; 9 = flat Hilum Color HILCT HILCT Hilum Color G = Grey; BR =Brown; BF = Buff; BL = Black; IB = Imperfect Black; Y = Yellow; IY =Imperfect Yellow; S = Segregating (Mixture of Colors) Maturity Date(MMDD) MRTYD MRTYD Maturity Date (MMDD)—95% of plants in row shed leaves& pods turned mature color Maturity Days from MRTYN MatDaysMaturity—Days from planting date planting Moisture % (Field) GMSTP GMSTPMoisture % (Field) MST_P Phytophthora Root Rot PRR_R PRR PhytophthoraRoot Rot Field Tolerance. Rating (1 = best) Plant Branching PLBRR BranchPlant Branching Rating 1 = No branching; 5 = Average; 9 = Profuse PlantCanopy Rating PLCNR Canopy Plant Canopy Rating PLCNR 1 = no branching, 5= average, 9 = profuse Plant Height (cm) PLHTN Height Plant Height incentimeters Pod Color PD_CR PD_CR Pod Color Rating 1 = T = Tawny; 2 = B= Brown; 9 = Seg = Segregating (Mixture of Colors) PRR GENE RPS_T RPS_TRPS_T Phytophthora Root Rot GENE, 1C, 1K, No Gene, etc. Pubescence ColorPB_CR PB_CR Pubescence Color Rating 1 = G = Gray; 2 = T = Tawny; 4 = Lt= Ligh Tawny; 9 = Seg = Segregating (Mixture of Colors) Root KnotIncogita MI _T MI _T Root Knot Incogita trait. R = resistance; MR =mixed resistance; S = susceptible Root Knot Incognita MI_R MI_R RootKnot Incognita rating (1 = best) SCN Race 14 FI % CN14P CN14P SoybeanCyst Nematode Race 14 Female Index % SCN Race 3 FI % CN3_P CN3_P SoybeanCyst Nematode Race 3 FI % Shattering STR_R Shattering 1-9 (1 = best)Sulfonylurea Tol. STS_R STS_R Sulfonylurea Tolerance Rating 1-9; 1 =Tolerant 9 = sensitive Yield Test Percentage TESTP TESTP The Mean Yieldof the variety, expressed as a percentage of the Mean Yield of allvarieties in the trial Variety/Hybrid Number VHNO VHNO A codedesignating a particular variety Iron Chlorosis IC_R Iron ChlorosisRating or Calculated from Flash & Recovery Mean 1-9 (1 = best) IronChlorosis Yellow ICFLR Iron Chlorosis Yellow Flash Rating 1-9 (1 = best)Flash Rate Iron Chlorosis Recovery ICR_R Iron Chlorosis Recovery Rating1-9 (1 = best) Radiometry IDC Number IC_N Iron Deficiency ChlorosisAdjusted Radiometry Number Calculated from Max Flast and Recovery MeanBrown Stem Rot BSR_R BSR Brown Stem Rot Rating 1-9 (1 = best) CharcoalRot CR_R Charcoal Rot Rating 1-9 (1 = best) Powdery Mildew PM_R PowderyMildew Rating 1-9 (1 = best) Bacterial Pustule BP_R Bacterial PustuleRating 1-9 (1 = best) Rust RUSTR Rust severity overall rating 1-9, 9being higher severity Sudden Death Syndrome SDS_R Sudden Death SyndromeRating 1-9 (1 = best) Sclerotinia White Mold SCL_R SWM Sclerotinia WhiteMold Severity Rating 1-9 (1 = best) Target Spot TSP_R Target Spot(Corynespora cassiicola) Rating 1-9 (1 = best) Stem Canker (Southern)DPM_R Stem Canker (Southern) Rating 1-9 (1 = best) Stem Canker (South)DPMTR Stem Canker (Southern) Tolerance Rating 1-9 Tolerance (1 = best)

Trait Definitions

Hypocotyl Length (Hyp_R) A rating of a variety's hypocotyl extensionafter germination when planted at a 5″ depth in sand and maintained in awarm germination environment for 10 days.

Leaf Shape Calculated A calculated trait that divides length by widthamongst 5 different leaf samples per replicate, measured in cm.1=lanceolate; 2=oval; 3=ovate.

Seedling Establishment (EMRGR) A rating of uniform establishment andgrowth of seedlings. Rating is taken between the V1 and V3 growth stagesand is a 1 to 9 rating with 1 being the best stand establishment.

Seed Coat Peroxidase (Perox)—seed protein peroxidase activity is achemical taxonomic technique to separate cultivars based on the presenceor absence of the peroxidase enzyme in the seed coat. Ratings arePOS=positive for peroxidase enzyme or NEG=negative for peroxidaseenzyme. Ratings may also refer to the activity level of the seed proteinperoxidase. 1=low activity; 2=high activity.

Chloride Sensitivity (CLS_T) An “Excluder” accumulates chloride andrestricts the chloride in the roots. An “Includer” accumulates chloridethroughout the plant. Based on molecular markers for analyzing chloridesensitivity, a chloride excluder carries a susceptible marker allele,and a chloride includer has a resistant allele.

Plant Height (PLHTN) The average measured plant height, in centimeters,of 5 uniform plants per plot, taken just prior to harvest.

Plant Branching (PLBRR) Rating of the number of branches and theirrelative importance to yield. This rating is taken at growth expressivelocations. 1=no branching, 5=average and 9=profuse. Ratings taken justprior to harvest.

Green Lodging (GLDGR) Rating based on the average of plants leaning fromvertical at the R5 to R6 growth stage. 1=all are erect, 5=averageerectness. 9=all are flat. Rating of one is the best rating.

Harvest Lodging (HLDGR) Rating based on the average of plants leaningfrom vertical at harvest. Lodging score (1=completely upright, 5=45degree angle from upright; 9=completely prostrate). Rating one is thebest rating and ratings are taken just prior to harvest.

MON89788 The transgenic soybean event MON89788 carries a glyphosatetolerance transgene (U.S. Pat. No. 7,632,985 herein incorporated byreference). This transgene may be introgressed into a soybean variety,such that said variety now carries a glyphosate tolerance transgene.

MON87708 The transgenic soybean event MON87708 carries a transgene whichexpresses a dicamba mono-oxygenase, which confers tolerance todicamba-based herbicides. This transgene may be introgressed into asoybean variety, such that said variety now carries a dicamba tolerancetransgene.

Phytophthora Root Rot (PRR_R) means a Phytophthora Root Rot fieldtolerance rating. Rating is 1-9 with one being the best. The informationcan also include the listing of the actual resistance gene (RPS_T), forexample, Rps gene 1C.

Root Knot Nematode (RKN) Greenhouse screen—45 day screen of rootsinoculated with eggs and juveniles. Rating Scale based upon femalereproduction index on a susceptible check set determined by number ofgalls present on the root mass. Rating scale is 1-9 with 1 being best.Species specific ratings: Arenaria (MA_R), Incognita (MI_R), Javanica(MJ_R).

Stem Canker (Southern) (DPM_R) Greenhouse screen to identify vertical(gene) type of resistance. One week old soybean seedlings are inoculatedwith the stem canker pathogen by opening up a small slit into thehypocotyl and depositing a small drop of the fungal suspension. Theinoculated seedlings are then placed into a moisture chamber. When theseedlings of the known checks have collapsed, disease severity ratingare given on a 1-9 score. One being the best.

Stem canker (Southern) tolerance (DPMTR) Field nursery. The objective ofthis test is to evaluate the Field Resistance/Tolerance of soybean linesunder field conditions. This is necessary due to the fact that of thefour known genes that convey vertical type of resistance to stem canker,one gene (Rdc4 from the variety Dowling), exhibits a 40-50% plant kill(false positive) when screened in the greenhouse using the hypocotylinoculation technique. Lines that scored a rating of 4-9 in thegreenhouse are planted in the field. They are sprayed at least 5 timesduring their first month of development with a spore suspensioncontaining the stem canker fungus. With the inclusion of verysusceptible stem canker checks, we are able to identify horizontal(field resistance/tolerance) resistance in certain lines. Quite often,lines scoring a 9 in the greenhouse, rate a score of 1 in the field dueto either having the Rdc4 gene or having good fieldresistance/tolerance. Disease severity scores are once again given on a1-9 scale when the plants have reached the R6 growth stage of plantdevelopment. One being the best.

Brown Stem Rot (BSR_R) This disease is caused by the fungus Phialophoragregata. The disease is a late-season, cool-temperature, soil bornefungus which in appropriate favorable weather can cause up to 30 percentyield losses in soybean fields. BSR_R is an opportunistic field rating.The scale is 1-9. One rating is best.

Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS_R) This disease is caused by slow-growingstrains of Fursarium solani that produce bluish pigments in the centralpart of the culture when produced on a PDA culture. The disease appearsmainly in the reproductive growth stages (R2-R6) of soybeans. Normaldiagnostics are distinctive scattered, intervienal chlorotic spots onthe leaves. Yield losses may be total or severe in infected fields. TheSudden Death Syndrome Rating is both a field nursery and anopportunistic field rating. It is based on leaf area affected as definedby the Southern Illinois University method of SDS scoring. The scaleused for these tests is 1-9. A one rating is best.

Sclerotinia White Mold (SCL_R) This disease is caused by the fungalpathogen Sclerotinia sclerotium. The fungus can overwinter in the soilfor many years as sclerotia and infect plants in prolonged periods ofhigh humidity or rainfall. Yield losses may be total or severe ininfected fields. Sclerotinia White Mold (SCL_R) rating is a field rating(1-9 scale) based on the percentage of wilting or dead plants in a plot.A one rating is the best.

Frog Eye Leaf Spot (FELSR) This is caused by the fungal pathogenCercospora sojina. The fungus survives as mycelium in infected seeds andin infested debris. With adequate moisture new leaves become infected asthey develop until all the leaves are infected. Yield losses may be upto 15% in severe infected fields. Frog Eye Leaf Spot (FELSR) rating is afield rating (1-9 scale) based on the percentage of leaf area affected.The scale is 1-9 where 1=no leaf symptoms and 9=severe leaf symptoms.One is the best rating. To test varieties for Frog Eye Leaf Spot adisease nursery is artificially inoculated with spores. The ratings aredone when the plants have reached the R5-R6 growth stage. Visualcalibration is done with leaf photos of different frogeye severityratings as used by the University of Tennessee and Dr. Melvin Newman,State Plant Pathologist for TN.

Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) The Soybean Cyst Nematode Heteroderaglycines, is a small plant-parasitic roundworm that attacks the roots ofsoybeans. Soybean Cyst Nematode Ratings are taken from a 30 daygreenhouse screen using cyst infested soil. The rating scale is basedupon female reproduction index (FI %) on a susceptible check set((female reproduction on a specific line/female reproduction onSusceptible check)*100) where <10% ═R (RESISTANT); >10%-<30%=MR(MODERATELY RESISTANT); >30%-<60%=MS (MODERATELY SUSPECTIBLE); >60% ═S(SUSPECTIBLE). The screening races include: 1, 3, 5, 14. Individualratings CN1_P, CN3_P, CN5_P, and CN14_P refer to the resistance to SCNraces 1, 3, 5 and 14 FI % respectively.

Powdery Mildew

The name given to a group of diseases caused by several closely relatedfungi. Their common symptom is a grayish-white, powdery mat visible onthe surface of leaves, stems, and flower petals. There are many hosts;and although this disease is not considered fatal, plant damage canoccur when the infestation is severe.

Soybean Rust (Rust) Previously known as Asian soybean rust. This diseaseis caused by the fungus Phakopsora pachyrhiz.

Maturity Days from Planting (MRTYN) Plants are considered mature when95% of the pods have reached their mature color. MRTYN is the number ofdays calculated from planting date to 95% mature pod color.

Relative Maturity Group (RM) Industry Standard for varieties groups,based on day length or latitude. Long day length (northern areas in theNorthern Hemisphere) are classified as (Groups 000,00,0). Mid daylengths variety groups lie in the middle group (Groups I-VI). Very shortday lengths variety groups (southern areas in Northern Hemisphere) areclassified as (Groups VII, VIII, IX). Within a maturity group aresub-groups. A sub-group is a tenth of a relative maturity group (forexample, 1.3 would indicate a group 1 and a subgroup 3). Within narrowcomparisons, the difference of a tenth of a relative maturity groupequates very roughly to a day difference in maturity at harvest.

Grain Yield at Standard Moisture (YGSMN) The actual grain yield atstandard moisture (13%) reported in the unit's bushels/acre.

Shattering (STR_R) The rate of pod dehiscence prior to harvest. Poddehiscence is the process of beans dropping out of the pods. Advancedvarieties are planted in a replicated nursery south of their adaptedzone to promote early senescence. Mature plots are allowed to stand inthe field to endure heat/cool and especially wet/dry cycles. Rating isbased on the differences between varieties of the amount of open podsand soybeans that have fallen on the ground. The rating scale is 1-9with 1=no shattering and 9=severe shattering. One rating is best.

Yield Test Percentage (TESTP) The mean yield of the subject varietyexpressed as a percentage of the mean yield of all varieties in thetrial.

Plant Parts Means the embryos, anthers, pollen, nodes, roots, root tips,flowers, petals, pistols, seeds, pods, leaves, stems, tissue, tissuecultures, meristematic cells and other cells (but only to the extent thegenetic makeup of the cell has both paternal and maternal material) andthe like.

Palmitic Acid Means a fatty acid, C₁₅H₃₁COOH, occurring in soybean. Thisis one of the five principal fatty acids of soybean oil.

Linolenic Acid Means an unsaturated fatty acid, C₁₇H₂₉COOH, occurring insoybean. This is one of the five principal fatty acids of soybean oil.

Stearic Acid Means a colorless, odorless, waxlike fatty acid, CH₃(CH₂)₁₆COOH, occurring in soybean. This is one of the five principalfatty acids of soybean oil.

Oleic Acid Means an oily liquid fatty acid, C₁₇H₃₃COOH, occurring insoybean. This is one of the five principal fatty acids of soybean oil.

Linoleic Acid Means an unsaturated fatty acid, C₁₇H₃₁COOH, occurring insoybean. This is one of the five principal fatty acids of soybean oil.

Plant Means the plant, in any of its stages of life including the seedor the embryo, the cotyledon, the plantlet, the immature or the matureplant, the plant parts, plant protoplasts, plant cells of tissue culturefrom which soybean plants can be regenerated, plant calli, plant clumps,and plant cells (but only to the extent the genetic makeup of the cellhas both paternal and maternal material) that are intact in plants orparts of the plants, such as pollen, anther, nodes, roots, flowers,seeds, pods, leaves, stems, petals and the like.

Bud Blight (virus—tobacco ringspot virus): A virus disease of soybeans,symptoms form a curled brown crook out of the terminal bud of plants.

Soybean Mosaic (virus): This soybean virus appears as a yellow vein oninfected plants. This virus will show in the veins of developing leaves.Leaves look narrow and have puckered margins. Infection results in lessseed formed in odd shaped pods. The virus is vectored by aphids.

Bean Pod Mottle Virus (virus): The bean leaf beetle vectored virus. Thisvirus causes a yellow-green mottling of the leaf particularly in coolweather.

Target Spot (fungus—Alternaria sp.): This fungus infects leaves, alsoshows spots on pods and stems.

Anthracnose (fungus—Colletotrichum dematium var. truncatum): This fungusinfects stems, petioles and pods of almost mature plants.

Brown Leaf Spot (fungus—Septoria glycines): Early foliar disease onsoybeans in springtime.

Downy Mildew (fungus—Peronospora manshurica): Fungus appears on thetopside of the leaf. The fungus appears as indefinite yellowish-greenareas on the leaf.

Purple Seed Stain (fungus—Cercospora kikuchii): This fungus is on themature soybean seed coat and appears as a pink or light to dark purplediscoloration.

Seed Decay and Seedling Diseases (fungi—Pythium sp., Phytophthora sp.,Rhizoctonia sp., Diaporthe sp.): When damage or pathology causes reducedseed quality, then the soybean seedlings are often predisposed to thesedisease organisms.

Bacterial Blight (bacterium—Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea): Asoybean disease that appears on young soybean plants.

Charcoal Rot (fungus—Macrophomina phaseolina): Charcoal rot is a sandysoil, mid-summer soybean disease.

Rhizobium—Induced Chlorosis: A chlorosis appearing as light green towhite which appears 6-8 weeks during rapid plant growth.

Bacterial Pustule (bacterium—Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli): Thisis usually a soybean leaf disease; however, the disease from the leavesmay infect pods.

Cotton Root Rot (fungus—Phymatotrichum omnivorum): This summertimefungus causes plants to die suddenly.

Pod and Stem Blight (fungus—Diaporthe phaseolorum var. sojae): Thefungus attacks the maturing pod and stem and kills the plant.

Treated Seed means the seed of the present invention with a pesticidalcomposition. Pesticidal compositions include but are not limited tomaterial that are insecticidal, fungicidal, detrimental to pathogens, orsometimes herbicidal.

Locus converted (conversion), also single locus converted (conversion),refers to seeds, plants, and/or parts thereof developed by backcrossingand/or genetic transformation to introduce a given locus that istransgenic in origin, wherein essentially all of the morphological andphysiological characteristics of a variety are recovered in addition tothe characteristics of the locus or possibly loci which has beentransferred into the variety. The locus can be a native locus, atransgenic locus, or a combination thereof. Plants may also be referredto as coisogenic plants.

Variety or Cultivar refer to a substantially homozygous soybean line andminor modifications thereof that retains the overall genetics of thesoybean line including but not limited to a subline, a locus conversion,a mutation, a transgenic, or a somaclonal variant. Variety or cultivarinclude seeds, plants, plant parts, and/or seed parts of the instantsoybean line.

Definitions of Staging of Development

The plant development staging system employed in the testing of thisinvention divides stages as vegetative (V) and reproductive (R). Thissystem accurately identifies the stages of any soybean plant. However,all plants in a given field will not be in the stage at the same time.Therefore, each specific V or R stage is defined as existing when 50% ormore of the plants in the field are in or beyond that stage.

The first two stages of V are designated a VE (emergence) and VC(cotyledon stage). Subdivisions of the V stages are then designatednumerically as V1, V2, V3 through V (n). The last V stage is designatedas V (n), where (n) represents the number for the last node stage of thespecific variety. The (n) will vary with variety and environment. Theeight subdivisions of the reproductive stages (R) states are alsodesignated numerically. R1=beginning bloom; R2=full bloom; R3=beginningpod; R4=full pod; R5=beginning seed; R6=full seed; R7=beginningmaturity; R8=full maturity.

Soybean Cultivar EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249

The present invention comprises a soybean plant, plant part, plant cell,and seed, characterized by molecular and physiological data obtainedfrom the representative sample of said variety deposited with theAmerican Type Culture Collection. Additionally, the present inventioncomprises a soybean plant comprising the homozygous alleles of thevariety, formed by the combination of the disclosed soybean plant orplant cell with another soybean plant or cell.

This soybean variety in one embodiment carries one or more transgenes,for example, the glyphosate tolerance transgene, a dicambamono-oxygenase gene, a desaturase gene or other transgenes. In anotherembodiment of the invention, the soybean does not carry any herbicideresistance traits. In yet another embodiment of the invention, thesoybean does not carry any transgenes but may carry alleles for aphidresistance, cyst nematode resistance and/or brown stem rot or the like.

The present invention provides methods and composition relating toplants, seeds and derivatives of the soybean cultivar EC1661152,EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249. Soybean cultivar EC1661152,EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 has superior characteristics. TheEC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 line has been selfedsufficient number of generations to provide a stable and uniform plantvariety.

Cultivar EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 shows novariants other than expected due to environment or that normally wouldoccur for almost any characteristic during the course of repeated sexualreproduction. Some of the criteria used to select in various generationsinclude: seed yield, emergence, appearance, disease tolerance, maturity,plant height, and shattering data.

The inventor believes that EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OREC1661249 is similar in relative maturity to the comparison varieties.However, as shown in the tables and as described, EC1661152, EC1661470,EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 differs from these cultivars.

Direct comparisons were made between EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291,AND/OR EC1661249 and the listed commercial varieties. Traits measuredmay include yield, maturity, lodging, plant height, branching, fieldemergence, and shatter. The results of the comparison are presented inthe following tables. The number of tests in which the varieties werecompared is shown with the environments, mean and standard deviation forsome traits.

It is well known in the art that, by way of backcrossing, one or moretraits or loci may be introduced into a given variety while otherwiseretaining essentially all of the traits of that variety. An example ofsuch backcrossing to introduce a trait into a starting variety isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,140,556, where soybean variety Williams '82was developed using backcrossing techniques to transfer a locuscomprising the Rps1 gene to the variety Williams. Williams '82 iscomparable to the recurrent parent variety Williams except forresistance to phytopthora rot. Both Williams '82 and Williams have thesame relative maturity, indeterminate stems, and flower, pod,pubescence, and hilum color.

The present invention EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249can carry genetic engineered recombinant genetic material to giveimproved traits or qualities to the soybean. For example, but notlimited to, the present invention can carry the glyphosate resistancegene for herbicide resistance as taught in the Monsanto patents(WO92/00377, WO92/04449, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,188,642 and 5,312,910), or agene which confers tolerance to dicamba-based herbicides, or the STSmutation for herbicide resistance. Additional traits carried intransgenes or mutation can be transferred into the present invention.Some of these genes include genes that give disease resistance tosclerotinia such as the oxalate oxidase (Ox Ox) gene as taught inPCT/FR92/00195 Rhone Polunc and/or an oxalate decarboxylase gene fordisease resistance or genes designed to alter the soybean oil within theseed such as desaturase, thioesterase genes (shown in EP0472722, U.S.Pat. No. 5,344,771) or genes designed to alter the soybean's amino acidcharacteristics. This line can be crossed with another soybean linewhich carries a gene that acts to provide herbicide resistance or alterthe saturated and/or unsaturated fatty acid content of the oil withinthe seed, or the amino acid profile of the seed. Thus throughtransformation or backcrossing of the present invention with atransgenic line carrying the desired event, the present inventionfurther comprise a new transgenic event that is heritable. Some of theavailable soybean transgenic events include 11-234-01p Dow Soybean 2,4-D, Glyphosate and Glufosinate Tolerant/DAS-444∅6-6; 11-202-01pMonsanto Soybean Increased Yield/MON 87712; 10-188-01p Monsanto SoybeanDicamba Tolerant/MON 87708; 09-015-01p BASF Soybean ImadazolinoneTolerant/BPS-CV127-9; 09-328-01p Bayer Soybean Glyphosate andIsoxaflutole Tolerant/FG72; 09-201-01p Monsanto Soybean Improved FattyAcid Profile/MON 87705; 09-183-01p Monsanto Soybean Stearidonic AcidProduced/MON 87769; 09-082-01p Monsanto Soybean Insect Resistant/MON87701; 06-354-01p Pioneer Soybean High Oleic Acid/Event 305423;06-271-01p Pioneer Soybean Glyphosate & Acetolactate SynthaseTolerant/DP-356∅43-5; 06-178-01p Monsanto Soybean GlyphosateTolerant/MON 89788; 98-238-01p AgrEvo Soybean PhosphinothricinTolerant/GU262; 97-008-01p Du Pont Soybean High Oleic Acid Oil/G94-1,G94-19, G-168; 96-068-01p AgrEvo Soybean Glufosinate Tolerant/W62, W98,A2704-12, A2704-21, A5547-35; 96-068-01p AgrEvo Soybean GlufosinateTolerant/W62, W98, A2704-12, A2704-21, A5547-35; 93-258-01p MonsantoSoybean Glyphosate Tolerant/4-30-2.

The present invention can also carry herbicide tolerance where thetolerance is conferred to an herbicide selected from the groupconsisting of glyphosate, glufosinate, acetolactate synthase (ALS)inhibitors, hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibitors,protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitors, phytoene desaturase (PDS)inhibitors, photosystem II (PSII) inhibitors, dicamba and 2,4-D.

This invention also is directed to methods for producing a new soybeanplant by crossing a first parent plant with a second parent plantwherein the first or second parent plant is the present invention.Additionally, the present invention may be used in the varietydevelopment process to derive progeny in a breeding population orcrossing. Further, both first and second parent plants can be or bederived from the soybean line EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OREC1661249. A variety of breeding methods can be selected depending onthe mode of reproduction, the trait, the condition of the germplasm.Thus, any such methods using the EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OREC1661249 are part of this invention: selfing, backcrosses, locusconversion, recurrent selection, mass selection and the like.

The scope of the present invention includes use of marker methods. Inaddition to phenotypic observations, the genotype of a plant can also beexamined. There are many techniques or methods known which are availablefor the analysis, comparison and characterization of plant's genotypeand for understanding the pedigree of the present invention andidentifying plants that have the present invention as an ancestor; amongthese are Isozyme Electrophoresis, Restriction Fragment LengthPolymorphisms (RFLPs), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs),Arbitrarily Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), DNA AmplificationFingerprinting (DAF), Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs),Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs), and Simple SequenceRepeats (SSRs) which are also referred to as Microsatellites.

A genotypic profile of soybean variety EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291,AND/OR EC1661249 can be used to identify a plant comprising varietyEC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 as a parent, sincesuch plants will comprise the same homozygous alleles as varietyEC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249. Because the soybeanvariety is essentially homozygous at all relevant loci, most loci shouldhave only one type of allele present. In contrast, a genetic markerprofile of an F1 progeny should be the sum of those parents, e.g., ifone parent was homozygous for allele X at a particular locus, and theother parent homozygous for allele Y at that locus, then the F1 progenywill be XY (heterozygous) at that locus. Subsequent generations ofprogeny produced by selection and breeding are expected to be ofgenotype XX (homozygous), YY (homozygous), or XY (heterozygous) for thatlocus position. When the F1 plant is selfed or sibbed for successivefilial generations, the locus should be either X or Y for that position.

In addition, plants and plant parts substantially benefiting from theuse of variety EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 intheir development, such as variety EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291,AND/OR EC1661249 comprising a backcross conversion, locus conversion,transgene, or genetic sterility factor, may be identified by having amolecular marker profile with a high percent identity to soybean varietyEC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249. Such a percentidentity might be 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%,99.5% or 99.9% identical to soybean variety EC1661152, EC1661470,EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249.

A genotypic profile of variety EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OREC1661249 also can be used to identify essentially derived varieties andother progeny varieties developed from the use of variety EC1661152,EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249, as well as cells and other plantparts thereof. Plants of the invention include any plant having at least90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, or 99.9% of themarkers in the genotypic profile, and that retain 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%,94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, or 99.9% of the morphological andphysiological characteristics of variety EC1661152, EC1661470,EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 when grown under the same conditions. Suchplants may be developed using markers well known in the art. Progenyplants and plant parts produced using variety EC1661152, EC1661470,EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 may be identified, for example, by having amolecular marker profile of at least 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%,60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%,86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or99.5% genetic contribution from soybean variety EC1661152, EC1661470,EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249, as measured by either percent identity orpercent similarity. Such progeny may be further characterized as beingwithin a pedigree distance of variety EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291,AND/OR EC1661249, such as within 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 or less crosspollinations to a soybean plant other than variety EC1661152, EC1661470,EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249, or a plant that has variety EC1661152,EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 as a progenitor. Unique molecularprofiles may be identified with other molecular tools, such as SNPs andRFLPs.

The present invention also includes methods of isolating nucleic acidsfrom a plant, a plant part, or a seed of the soybean variety of theinvention, analyzing said nucleic acids to produce data, and recordingsaid data. In some embodiments, the data may be recorded on a computerreadable medium. The data may comprise a nucleic acid sequence, a markerprofile, a haplotype, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments,the data may be used for crossing, selection, or advancement decisionsin a breeding program.

A backcross conversion, locus conversion, transgene, or geneticsterility factor, may be in an embodiment of the present invention.Markers can be useful in their development, such that the presentinvention comprising backcross conversion(s), transgene(s), or geneticsterility factor(s), and are identified by having a molecular markerprofile with a high percent identity such as 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%,99.5% or 99.9% identical to the present invention.

These embodiments may be detected using measurements by either percentidentity or percent similarity to the deposited material. These markersmay detect progeny plants identifiable by having a molecular markerprofile of at least 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%,75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%,89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 99.5% geneticcontribution from an embodiment of the present soybean variety. Suchprogeny may be further characterized as being within a pedigree distanceof 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 or more cross-pollinations to a soybean plant otherthan the present invention or a plant that has the present invention asa progenitor. Molecular profiles may be identified with SNP, SingleNucleotide Polymorphism, or other tools also.

Traits are average values for all trial locations, across all years inwhich the data was taken. In addition to the visual traits that aretaken, the genetic characteristic of the plant can also be characterisedby its genetic marker profile. The profile can interpret or predict thepedigree of the line, the relation to another variety, determine theaccuracy of a listed breeding strategy, or invalidate a suggestedpedigree. Soybean linkage maps were known by 1999 as evidenced in Creganet. al, “An Integrated Genetic Linkage Map of the Soybean Genome” CropScience 39:1464 1490 (1999); and using markers to determine pedigreeclaims was discussed by Berry et al., in “Assessing Probability ofAncestry Using Simple Sequence Repeat Profiles: Applications to MaizeInbred Lines and Soybean Varieties” Genetics 165:331 342 (2003), each ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. Markersinclude but are not limited to Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms(RFLPs), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), Arbitrarily PrimedPolymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting(DAF), Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs), AmplifiedFragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs), Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs)which are also referred to as Microsatellites, and Single NucleotidePolymorphisms (SNPs). There are known sets of public markers that arebeing examined by ASTA and other industry groups for their applicabilityin standardizing determinations of what constitutes an essentiallyderived variety under the US Plant Variety Protection Act. However,these standard markers do not limit the type of marker and markerprofile which can be employed in breeding or developing backcrossconversions, or in distinguishing varieties or plant parts or plantcells, or verify a progeny pedigree. Primers and PCR protocols forassaying these and other markers are disclosed in the Soybase (sponsoredby the USDA Agricultural Research Service and Iowa State University)located at the world wide web at 129.186.26.94/SSR.html.

Additionally, these markers such as SSRs, RFLP's, SNPs, Ests, AFLPs,gene primers, and the like can be developed and employed to identifygenetic alleles which have an association with a desired trait, loci orlocus. The allele can be used in a marker assisted breeding program tomove traits (native, nonnative (from a different species), ortransgenes) into the present invention. The value of markers includesallowing the introgression and/or locus conversion of theallele(s)/trait(s) into the desired germplasm with little to nosuperfluous germplasm being dragged from the allele/trait donor plantinto the present invention. This results in formation of the presentinvention for example, cyst nematode resistance, brown stem rotresistance, aphid resistance, Phytophthora resistance, IDC resistance,BT genes, male sterility genes, glyphosate tolerance genes, Dicambatolerance, HPPD tolerance, rust tolerance, Asian Rust tolerance, fungaltolerance, or drought tolerance genes. Additionally, the inventionthrough transgenes, or if a native trait through markers or backcrossbreeding, can include a polynucleotide encoding phytase, FAD-2, FAD-3,galactinol synthase or a raffinose synthetic enzyme; or a polynucleotideconferring resistance to soybean cyst nematode, brown stem rot,phytophthora root rot, or sudden death syndrome or resistance, toleranceto FUNGAL DISEASES such as: Alternaria spp., Agrobacterium rhizogenes,Calonectria crotalariae, Cercospora kikuchii, Cercospora sojina,Choanephora infundibulifera, Colletotrichum spp., Corynesporacassiicola, Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens, Dactuliochaeta glycines,Diaporthe phaseolorum, Fusarium oxysporum, Macrophomina phaseolina,Microsphaera difusa, Peronospora manshurica, Phakopsora pachyrhizi,Phialophora gregata, Phomopsis phaseolorum, Phyllosticta sojicola,Phytophthora sojae, Pseudomonas syringae, Pythium spp., Rhizoctoniasolana, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Sclerotium rolfsii, Septoria glycines,Sphaceloma glycines, Thielaviopsis basicota.; or tolerance to BACTERIALand VIRAL DISEASES such as: Xanthomonas campestres, Cowpea ChloroticMottle Virus (CCMV), Peanut Mottle Virus (PMV), Tobacco Streak Virus(TSV), Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus (BYMV), Black Gram Mottle Virus (BGMV),Cowpea Mild Mottle Virus (CMMV), Cowpea Severe Mosaic Virus (CSMV),Indonesian Soybean Dwarf Virus (ISDV), Mung Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus(MYMV), Peanut Stripe Virus (VPMM), Soybean Chlorotic Mottle Virus,Soybean Crinkle Leaf Virus, Soybean Yellow Vein Virus (SYVV), TobaccoMosaic Virus (TMV); NEMATODES such as: Belonolaimus gracilis,Meloidogyne spp, Rotylenchulus reniformis, Pratylenchus spp.,Hoplolaimus sulumbus, Heterodera schachtii.

Many traits have been identified that are not regularly selected for inthe development of a new cultivar. Using materials and methods wellknown to those persons skilled in the art, traits that are capable ofbeing transferred, to cultivar of the present invention include, but arenot limited to, herbicide tolerance, resistance for bacterial, fungal,or viral disease, nematode resistance, insect resistance, enhancednutritional quality, such as oil, starch and protein content or quality,improved performance in an industrial process, altered reproductivecapability, such as male sterility or male/female fertility, yieldstability and yield enhancement. Other traits include the production ofcommercially valuable enzymes or metabolites within the presentinvention.

A transgene typically comprises a nucleotide sequence whose expressionis responsible or contributes to the trait, under the control of apromoter capable of directing the expression of the nucleotide sequenceat the desired time in the desired tissue or part of the plant.Constitutive, tissue-specific or inducible promoters are well known inthe art and have different purposes and each could be employed. Thetransgene(s) may also comprise other regulatory elements such as forexample translation enhancers or termination signals. The transgene maybe adapted to be transcribed and translated into a protein, or to encodeRNA in a sense or antisense orientation such that it is not translatedor only partially translated.

Transgenes may be directly introduced into the cultivar using geneticengineering, site specific insertion techniques, and transformationtechniques well known in the art or introduced into the cultivar througha process which uses a donor parent which has the transgene(s) alreadyintrogressed. This process of introduction of a transgene(s) ornative/non-native traits into the cultivar may use the donor parent in amarker assisted trait conversion process, where the trait may be movedfor example by backcrossing using the markers for selection ofsubsequent generations.

The laboratory-based techniques described above, in particular RFLP andSSR, can be used in such backcrosses to identify the progenies havingthe highest degree of genetic identity with the recurrent parent. Thispermits one to accelerate the production of soybean cultivars having atleast 90%, 95%, 99% genetic, or genetically identical to the recurrentparent, and further comprising the trait(s) introgressed from the donorparent. Such determination of genetic identity can be based on markersused in the laboratory-based techniques described above.

The last backcross generation is then selfed to give pure breedingprogeny for the gene(s) being transferred. The resulting plants haveessentially all of the morphological and physiological characteristicsof cultivar of the present invention, in addition to the gene trait(s)transferred to the inbred. The exact backcrossing protocol will dependon the trait being altered to determine an appropriate testing protocol.Although backcrossing methods are simplified when the trait beingtransferred is a dominant allele, a recessive allele may also betransferred. In this instance it may be necessary to introduce a test ofthe progeny to determine if the desired trait has been successfullytransferred.

In general, methods to transform, modify, edit or alter plant endogenousgenomic DNA include altering the plant native DNA sequence or apre-existing transgenic sequence including regulatory elements, codingand non-coding sequences. These methods can be used, for example, totarget nucleic acids to pre-engineered target recognition sequences inthe genome. Such pre-engineered target sequences may be introduced bygenome editing or modification. As an example, a genetically modifiedplant variety is generated using “custom” or engineered endonucleasessuch as meganucleases produced to modify plant genomes (see e.g., WO2009/114321; Gao et al. (2010) Plant Journal 1:176-187). Anothersite-directed engineering method is through the use of zinc fingerdomain recognition coupled with the restriction properties ofrestriction enzyme. See e.g., Umov, et al., (2010) Nat Rev Genet.11(9):636-46; Shukla, et al., (2009) Nature 459 (7245):437-41. Atranscription activator-like (TAL) elfector-DNA modifying enzyme (TALEor TALEN) is also used to engineer changes in plant genome. See e.g.,US20110145940, Cermak et al. (2011), Nucleic Acids Res. 39(12) and Bochet al., (2009), Science 326(5959): 1509-12. Site-specific modificationof plant genomes can also be performed using the bacterial type IICRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas(CRISPR-associated) system. See e.g., Belhaj et al., (2013), PlantMethods 9: 39; The Cas9/guide RNA-based system allows targeted cleavageof genomic DNA guided by a customizable small noncoding RNA in plants(see e.g., WO 2015026883A1, incorporated herein by reference).

The cultivar of the invention can also be used for transformation whereexogenous genes are introduced and expressed by the cultivar of theinvention. Genetic variants created either through traditional breedingmethods using cultivar of the present invention or throughtransformation of such cultivar by any of a number of protocols known tothose of skill in the art are intended to be within the scope of thisinvention (see e.g. Trick et al. (1997) Recent Advances in SoybeanTransformation, Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology, 3:9-26).

Transformation methods are means for integrating new genetic codingsequences (transgenes) into the plant's genome by the incorporation ofthese sequences into a plant through man's assistance. Many dicotsincluding soybeans can easily be transformed with Agrobacterium. Methodsof introducing desired recombinant DNA molecule into plant tissueinclude the direct infection or co-cultivation of plant cells withAgrobacterium tumefaciens, Horsch et al., Science, 227:1229 (1985).Descriptions of Agrobacterium vector systems and methods are shown inGruber, et al., “Vectors for Plant Transformation, in Methods in PlantMolecular Biology & Biotechnology” in Glich et al., (Eds. pp. 89-119,CRC Press, 1993). Transformed plants obtained via protoplasttransformation are also intended to be within the scope of thisinvention. Other transformation methods such as whiskers, aerosol beam,etc. are well known in the art and are within the scope of thisinvention. The most common method of transformation after the use ofagrobacterium is referred to as gunning or microprojectile bombardment.This process has small gold-coated particles coated with DNA (includingthe transgene) shot into the transformable material. Techniques forgunning DNA into cells, tissue, explants, meristems, callus, embryos,and the like are well known in the prior art.

The DNA used for transformation of these plants clearly may be circular,linear, and double or single stranded.

Some of the time the DNA is in the form of a plasmid. The plasmid maycontain additional regulatory and/or targeting sequences which assistthe expression or targeting of the gene in the plant. The methods offorming plasmids for transformation are known in the art. Plasmidcomponents can include such items as: leader sequences, transitpolypeptides, promoters, terminators, genes, introns, marker genes, etc.The structures of the gene orientations can be sense, antisense, partialantisense or partial sense: multiple gene copies can be used.

After the transformation of the plant material is complete, the nextstep is identifying the cells or material, which has been transformed.In some cases, a screenable marker is employed such as thebeta-glucuronidase gene of the uidA locus of E. coli. Then, thetransformed cells expressing the colored protein are selected for eitherregeneration or further use. In many cases, a selectable markeridentifies the transformed material. The putatively transformed materialis exposed to a toxic agent at varying concentrations. The cells nottransformed with the selectable marker, which provides resistance tothis toxic agent, die. Cells or tissues containing the resistantselectable marker generally proliferate. It has been noted that althoughselectable markers protect the cells from some of the toxic effects ofthe herbicide or antibiotic, the cells may still be slightly affected bythe toxic agent by having slower growth rates. If the transformedmaterials are cell lines then these lines are used to regenerate plants.The cells' lines are treated to induce tissue differentiation. Methodsof regeneration of plants are well known in the art. General methods ofculturing plant tissues are provided for example by Maki et al.“Procedures for Introducing Foreign DNA into Plants” in Methods in PlantMolecular Biology & Biotechnology, Glich et al. (Eds. pp. 67-88 CRCPress, 1993); and by Phillips et al. “Cell-Tissue Culture and In-VitroManipulation” in Soybean & Soybean Improvement, 3rd Edition Sprague etal. (Eds. pp. 345-387) American Society of Agronomy Inc. et al. 1988.

The plants from the transformation process or the plants resulting froma cross using a transformed line or the progeny of such plants whichcarry the transgene are transgenic plants.

The genes responsible for a specific gene trait are generally inheritedthrough the nucleus. Known exceptions are, e.g. the genes for malesterility, some of which are inherited cytoplasmically, but still act assingle gene traits. Male sterile soybean germplasm for hybrid soybeanproduction was taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,204. In a preferredembodiment, a transgene to be introgressed into the cultivar EC1661152,EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 is integrated into the nucleargenome of the donor, non-recurrent parent or the transgene is directlytransformed into the nuclear genome of cultivar EC1661152, EC1661470,EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249. In another embodiment of the invention, atransgene to be introgressed into cultivar EC1661152, EC1661470,EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 is integrated into the plastid genome of thedonor, non-recurrent parent or the transgene is directly transformedinto the plastid genome of cultivar EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291,AND/OR EC1661249. In a further embodiment of the invention, a plastidtransgene comprises a gene that has transcribed from a single promoter,or two or more genes transcribed from a single promoter.

In another embodiment of the invention, DNA sequences native to soybeanas well as non-native DNA sequences can be transformed into the soybeancultivar of the invention and used to alter levels of native ornon-native proteins. Various promoters, targeting sequences, enhancingsequences, and other DNA sequences can be inserted into the genome forthe purpose of altering the expression of proteins. Reduction of theactivity of specific genes (also known as gene silencing or genesuppression) is desirable for several aspects of genetic engineering inplants.

Many techniques for gene silencing are well known to one of skill in theart, including but not limited to, knock-outs (such as by insertion of atransposable element such as mu (Vicki Chandler, The Maize Handbook Ch.118 (Springer-Verlag 1994)); antisense technology (see, e.g., Sheehy etal. (1988) PNAS USA 85:8805-8809; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,107,065;5,453,566; and 5,759,829); co-suppression (e.g., Taylor (1997) PlantCell 9:1245; Jorgensen (1990) Trends Biotech 8:340-344; Flavell (1994)PNAS USA 91:3490-3496; Finnegan et al. (1994) Bio/Technology 12:883-888;and Neuhuber et al. (1994) Mol Gen Genet 244:230-241); RNA interference(Napoli et al. (1990) Plant Cell 2:279-289; U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,323;Sharp (1999) Genes Dev 13:139-141; Zamore et al. (2000) Cell 101:25-33;and Montgomery et al. (1998) PNAS USA 95:15502-15507); virus-inducedgene silencing (Burton et al. (2000) Plant Cell 12:691-705; Baulcombe(1999) Curr Op Plant Biol 2:109-113); target-RNAspecific ribozymes(Flaselolf et al. (1988) Nature 334: 585-591); hairpin structures (Smithet al. (2000) Nature 407:319-320; WO99/53050; WO98/53083); microRNA(Aukerman & Sakai (2003) Plant Cell 15:2730-2741); ribozymes (Steineckeet al. (1992) EMBO J 11:1525; Perriman et al. (1993) Antisense Res Dev3:253); oligonucleotide mediated targeted modification (e.g, WO03/076574and WO99/25853); Zn-finger targeted molecules (e.g, WO01/52620;WO03/048345; and WO00/42219); use of exogenously applied RNA (e.g,US20110296556); and other methods or combinations of the above methodsknown to those of skill in the art.

A non-exclusive list of traits or nucleotide sequences capable of beingtransferred into cultivar EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OREC1661249, for example by single locus conversion, using material andmethods well known to those persons skilled in the art are as follows:genetic factor(s) responsible for resistance to brown stem rot (U.S.Pat. No. 5,689,035) or resistance to cyst nematodes (U.S. Pat. No.5,491,081); a transgene encoding an insecticidal protein, such as, forexample, a crystal protein of Bacillus thuringiensis or a vegetativeinsecticidal protein from Bacillus cereus, such as VIP3 (see, forexample, Estruch et al. Nat Biotechnol [1997] 15:137-41); a herbicidetolerance transgene whose expression renders plants tolerant to theherbicide, for example, expression of an altered acetohydroxyacidsynthase (AHAS) enzyme confers upon plants tolerance to variousimidazolinone or sulfonamide herbicides (U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,373.) Othertraits capable of being transformed into cultivar EC1661152, EC1661470,EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 include, for example, a non-transgenic traitconferring to cultivar EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249tolerance to imidazolinones or sulfonylurea herbicides; a transgeneencoding a mutant acetolactate synthase (ALS) that renders plantsresistant to inhibition by sulfonylurea herbicides (U.S. Pat. No.5,013,659); a gene encoding a mutant glutamine synthetase (GS) resistantto inhibition by herbicides that are known to inhibit GS, e.g.phosphinothricin and methionine sulfoximine (U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,374);and a Streptomyces bar gene encoding a phosphinothricin acetyltransferase resulting in tolerance to the herbicide phosphinothricin orglufosinate (U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,520.)

Other genes capable of being transferred into the cultivar EC1661152,EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 of the invention includetolerance to inhibition by cyclohexanedione and aryloxyphenoxypropanoicacid herbicides (U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,602), which is conferred by analtered acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase); transgenic glyphosatetolerant plants, which tolerance is conferred by an altered5-enolpyruvyl-3-phosphoshikimate (EPSP) synthase gene; tolerance to aprotoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor, which is achieved by expression ofa tolerant protoporphyrinogen oxidase enzyme in plants (U.S. Pat. No.5,767,373.) Genes encoding altered protox resistant to a protoxinhibitor can also be used in plant cell transformation methods. Forexample, plants, plant tissue or plant cells transformed with atransgene can also be transformed with a gene encoding an altered protox(See U.S. Pat. No. 6,808,904 incorporated by reference) capable of beingexpressed by the plant. The thus-transformed cells are transferred tomedium containing the protox inhibitor wherein only the transformedcells will survive. Protox inhibitors contemplated to be particularlyuseful as selective agents are the diphenylethers (e.g. acifluorfen,5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobezoic acid; its methylester, or oxyfluorfen,2-chloro-1-(3-ethoxy-4-nitrophenoxy)-4-(trifluorobenzene)), oxidiazoles,(e.g. oxidiazon,3-[2,4-dichloro-5-(1-methylethoxy)phenyl]-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-(3H)-one),cyclic imides (e.g. S-23142,N-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-5-propargyloxyphenyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimide;chlorophthalim, N-(4-chlorophenyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimide),phenyl pyrazoles (e.g. TNPP-ethyl, ethyl2-[1-(2,3,4-trichlorophenyl)-4-nitropyrazolyl-5-oxy]propionate; M&B39279), pyridine derivatives (e.g. LS 82-556), and phenopylate and itsO-phenylpyrrolidino- and piperidinocarbamate analogs and bicyclictriazolones as disclosed in the International patent application WO92/04827; EP 532146).

The method is applicable to any plant cell capable of being transformedwith an altered protox-encoding gene, and can be used with any transgeneof interest. Expression of the transgene and the protox gene can bedriven by the same promoter functional on plant cells, or by separatepromoters.

Modified inhibitor-resistant protox enzymes of the present invention areresistant to herbicides that inhibit the naturally occurring protoxactivity. The herbicides that inhibit protox include many differentstructural classes of molecules (Duke et al., Weed Sci. 39: 465 (1991);Nandihalli et al., Pesticide Biochem. Physiol. 43: 193 (1992); Matringeet al., FEBS Lett. 245: 35 (1989); Yanase and Andoh, Pesticide Biochem.Physiol. 35: (1989)), including the diphenylethers {e.g. acifluorifen,5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobezoic acid; its methylester; or oxyfluorfen,2-chloro-1-(3-ethoxy-4-nitrophenoxy)-4-(trifluorobenzene)}, oxidiazoles(e.g. oxidiazon,3-[2,4-dichloro-5-(1-methylethoxy)phenyl]-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-(3H)-one),cyclic imides (e.g. S-23142,N-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-5-propargyloxyphenyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimide;chlorophthalim, N-(4-chlorophenyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimide),phenyl pyrazoles (e.g. TNPP-ethyl, ethyl2-[1-(2,3,4-trichlorophenyl)-4-nitropyrazolyl-5-oxy]propionate; M&B39279), pyridine derivatives (e.g. LS 82-556), and phenopylate and its0-phenylpyrrolidino- and piperidinocarbamate analogs.

Direct selection may be applied where the trait acts as a dominanttrait. An example of a dominant trait is herbicide tolerance. For thisselection process, the progeny of the initial cross are sprayed with theherbicide prior to the backcrossing. The spraying eliminates any plantthat does not have the desired herbicide tolerance characteristic, andonly those plants that have the herbicide tolerance gene are used in thesubsequent backcross. This process is then repeated for the additionalbackcross generations.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a transgenetransformed or introgressed into cultivar EC1661152, EC1661470,EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249, for example as a single locus conversion,comprises a gene conferring tolerance to a herbicide and at leastanother nucleotide sequence for another trait, such as for example,insect resistance or tolerance to another herbicide. Another genecapable of being transferred into the cultivar EC1661152, EC1661470,EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 of the invention expresses thioredoxin andthioredoxin reductase enzymes for modifying grain digestibility andnutrient availability (U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 20030145347.)

Further reproduction of the cultivar can occur by tissue culture andregeneration. Tissue culture of various tissues of soybeans andregeneration of plants therefrom is well known and widely published. Forexample, reference may be had to Komatsuda, T. et al., “Genotype XSucrose Interactions for Somatic Embryogenesis in Soybean,” Crop Sci.31:333-337 (1991); Stephens, P. A. et al., “Agronomic Evaluation ofTissue-Culture-Derived Soybean Plants,” Theor. Appl. Genet. (1991)82:633-635; Komatsuda, T. et al., “Maturation and Germination of SomaticEmbryos as Affected by Sucrose and Plant Growth Regulators in SoybeansGlycine gracilis Skvortz and Glycine max (L.) Merr.,” Plant Cell, Tissueand Organ Culture, 28:103-113 (1992); Dhir, S. et al., “Regeneration ofFertile Plants from Protoplasts of Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.):Genotypic Differences in Culture Response,” Plant Cell Reports (1992)11:285-289; Pandey, P. et al., “Plant Regeneration from Leaf andHypocotyl Explants of Glycine wightii (W. and A.) VERDC. varlongicauda,” Japan J. Breed. 42:1-5 (1992); and Shetty, K., et al.,“Stimulation of In Vitro Shoot Organogenesis in Glycine max (Merrill.)by Allantoin and Amides,” Plant Science 81:(1992) 245-251; as well asU.S. Pat. No. 5,024,944, issued Jun. 18, 1991 to Collins et al. and U.S.Pat. No. 5,008,200, issued Apr. 16, 1991 to Ranch et al. Thus, anotheraspect of this invention is to provide cells that upon growth anddifferentiation produce soybean plants having all or essentially all thephysiological and morphological characteristics of cultivar EC1661152,EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249. The disclosures, publications,and patents that are disclosed herein are all hereby incorporated hereinin their entirety by reference.

Sublines of soybean variety EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OREC1661249 may also be developed and are provided. Although soybeanvariety EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OR EC1661249 containssubstantially fixed genetics and is phenotypically uniform with no offtypes expected, there still remains a small proportion of segregatingloci either within individuals or within the population as a whole.Sublining provides the ability to select for these loci, which have noapparent morphological or phenotypic effect on the plantcharacteristics, but may have an effect on overall yield. For example,the methods described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,437,697, 7,973,212, andUS2011/0258733, and US2011/0283425 (each of which is herein incorporatedby reference) may be utilized by a breeder of ordinary skill in the artto identify genetic loci that are associated with yield potential tofurther purify the variety in order to increase its yield. A breeder ofordinary skill in the art may fix agronomically relevant loci by makingthem homozygous in order to optimize the performance of the variety. Thedevelopment of soybean sublines and the use of accelerated yieldtechnology is a plant breeding technique.

The seed of soybean cultivar EC1661152, EC1661470, EC1661291, AND/OREC1661249 further comprising one or more specific, single gene traits,the plant produced from the seed, the hybrid soybean plant produced fromthe crossing of the cultivar with any other soybean plant, hybrid seed,and various parts of the hybrid soybean plant can be utilized for humanfood, livestock feed, and as a raw material in industry.

Soybean is the world's leading source of vegetable oil and protein meal.The oil extracted from soybeans is used for cooking oil, margarine, andsalad dressings. Soybean oil is composed of saturated, monounsaturatedand polyunsaturated fatty acids. It has a typical composition of 11%palmitic, 4% stearic, 25% oleic, 50% linoleic and 9% linolenic fattyacid content (“Economic Implications of Modified Soybean Traits SummaryReport”, Iowa Soybean Promotion Board & American Soybean AssociationSpecial Report 92S, May 1990.) Changes in fatty acid composition forimproved oxidative stability and nutrition are constantly sought after.(U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,670 Soybeans Having Low Linolenic Acid and LowPalmitic Acid Contents; U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,745 Soybeans Having LowLinolenic Acid Content and Palmitic Acid Content of at Least ElevenPercent; U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,668 Soybeans Having Low Linolenic Acid AndElevated Stearic Acid Content; U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,669 A17 SoybeansHaving Low Linolenic Acid Content and Descendents; U.S. Pat. No.5,710,369 A16 Soybeans Having Low Linolenic Acid Content andDescendents; U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,425 Soybeans Having Low Linolenic AcidContent and Method of Production; U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,844 SoybeansCapable of Forming a Vegetable Oil Having Specified Concentrations ofPalmitic and Stearic Acids; U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,845 Soybeans Capable ofForming a Vegetable Oil Having a Low Saturated Fatty Acid Content; U.S.Pat. No. 5,585,535 Soybeans and Soybean Products Having Low PalmiticAcid Content; U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,029 Soybean Designated AX7017-1-3;U.S. Pat. No. 5,663,485 Soybean Designated A89-259098; U.S. Pat. No.5,684,230 Soybean Designated AX 4663-5-4-5; U.S. Pat. No. 5,684,231Soybean Designated A1937 NMU-85; U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,672 SoybeanDesignated ElginEMS-421; U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,311 Soybeans and SoybeanProducts Having High Palmitic Acid Content; U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,969Soybean Vegetable Oil Having Elevated Concentrations of Both Palmiticand Stearic Acid; U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,037 Soybeans Having ElevatedContents of Saturated Fatty Acids; U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,980 SoybeanVariety XB37ZA; U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,183 Soybean Variety 9253; U.S. Pat.No. 5,750,846 Elevated Palmitic Acid Production in Soybeans; U.S. Pat.No. 6,060,647 Elevated Palmitic Acid Production in Soybeans; U.S. Pat.No. 6,025,509 Elevated Palmitic Acid Production in Soybeans; U.S. Pat.No. 6,133,509 Reduced Linolenic Acid Production in Soybeans; U.S. Pat.No. 5,986,118 Soybean Vegetable Oil Possessing a Reduced Linolenic AcidContent; U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,030 Reduced Linolenic Acid Production inSoybeans). Industrial uses of soybean oil that is subjected to furtherprocessing include ingredients for paints, plastics, fibers, detergents,cosmetics, and lubricants. Soybean oil may be split, inter-esterified,sulfurized, epoxidized, polymerized, ethoxylated, or cleaved. Designingand producing soybean oil derivatives with improved functionality,oliochemistry is a rapidly growing field. The typical mixture oftriglycerides is usually split and separated into pure fatty acids,which are then combined with petroleum-derived alcohols or acids,nitrogen, sulfonates, chlorine, or with fatty alcohols derived from fatsand oils.

The techniques of seed treatment application are well known to thoseskilled in the art, and they may be used readily in the context of thepresent invention. The seed treating compositions can be applied to theseed as slurry, mist or a soak or other means know to those skilled inthe art of seed treatment. Seed treatments may also be applied by othermethods, e.g., film coating or encapsulation. The coating processes arewell known in the art, and employ, for seeds, the techniques of filmcoating or encapsulation, or for the other multiplication products, thetechniques of immersion. Needless to say, the method of application ofthe compositions to the seed may be varied and is intended to includeany technique that is to be used.

The term “fungicide” as utilized herein is intended to cover compoundsactive against phytopathogenic fungi that may belong to a very widerange of compound classes. Examples of compound classes to which thesuitable fungicidally active compound may belong include both roomtemperature (25.degree. C.) solid and room temperature liquid fungicidessuch as: triazole derivatives, strobilurins, carbamates (including thio-and dithiocarbamates), benzimidazoles (thiabendazole),N-trihalomethylthio compounds (captan), substituted benzenes,carboxamides, phenylamides and phenylpyrroles, and mixtures thereof.

The present invention includes a method for preventing damage by a pestto a seed of the present invention and/or shoots and foliage of a plantgrown from the seed of the present invention. Broadly the methodincludes treating the seed of the present invention with a pesticide.The pesticide is a composition that stops pests including insects,diseases, and the like. Broadly compositions for seed treatment caninclude but is not limited to any of one of the following: aninsecticide, or a fungicide.

The method comprises treating an unsown seed of the present inventionwith neonicotinoid composition. One of these compositions isthiamethoxam.

Additionally, the neonicotinoid composition can include at least onepyrethrin or synthetic pyrethroid, to reduce pest damage. Morespecifically there is a method of seed treatment which employsthiamethoxam and at least one pyrethrin or pyrethroid are comprisedwithin a seed coating treated on the seed of the present invention. Thecombination, if thiamethoxam is employed, can be coated at a rate whichis greater than 200 gm/100 kg of seed. The method includes having atleast one of the pyrethroids being a systemic insecticide.

The pyrethrin or synthetic pyrethroid, if employed can be selected fromthe group consisting of taufluvalinate, flumethrin, trans-cyfluthrin,kadethrin, bioresmethrin, tetramethrin, phenothrin, empenthrin,cyphenothrin, prallethrin, imiprothrin, allethrin and bioallethrin.

The fungicidally active compounds and/or the insecticidal activecompounds are employed in a fungicidally and/or insecticidally effectiveamount in the composition. Mixtures of one or more of the followingactive compounds are usable as an active component treatment of the seedof the present invention.

Examples of suitable individual compounds for use in seed treatments arelisted below. Where known, the common name is used to designate theindividual compounds (q.v. the Pesticide Manual, 12th edition, 2001,British Crop Protection Council).

Suitable triazole derivatives include propiconazole, difenconazole,tebuconazole, tetraconazole and triticonazole. Suitable strobilurinsinclude trifloxystrobin, azoxystrobin, kresoxim-methyl andpicoxystrobin. Suitable carbamates include thiram. Suitable substitutedbenzenes include PCNB and chlorothalonil. Suitable carboxamides includecarboxin. Specific phenylamides usable in the compositions and methodsinclude metalaxyl. A specific phenylpyrrole usable in the composition isfludioxonil.

Other suitable fungicidal compounds that maybe mentioned are Benomyl(also known as Benlate), Bitertanol, Carbendazim, Capropamid, Cymoxanil,Cyprodinil, Ethirimol, Fenpiclonil, Fenpropimorph, Fluquinconazole,Flutolanil, Flutriafol, Fosetyl-aluminum, Fuberidazole, Guazatine,Hymexanol, Kasugamycin, Imazalil, Imibenconazole,Iminoctadine-triacetate, Ipconazole, Iprodione, Mancozeb, Maneb,Mepronil, Metalaxyl, Metalaxyl-M (Mefenoxam), Metconazole, Metiram, MON65500 (Silthiopham-ISO proposed), Myclobutanil, Nuarimol, Oxadixyl,Oxine-copper, Oxolinic acid, Pefurazoate, Pencycuron, Prochloraz,Propamocarb hydrochloride, Pyroquilon, Silthiopham—see MON 65500,Tecnazene, Thifluzamide, Thiophenate-methyl, Tolclofos-methyl,Triadimenol, Triazoxide and Triflumizole.

The fungicidally active compounds and/or the insecticidal activecompounds are employed in a fungicidally and/or insecticidally effectiveamount in the composition. Mixtures of one or more of the followingactive compounds also are usable as an active component treatment of theseed of the present invention.

In one seed treatment, mixtures of at least one ambient liquid fungicide(for example, a phenylamide such as R-metalaxyl) and at least oneambient solid fungicide (for example, a phenylpyrrole such asfludioxonil) could be employed. The apparatus for providing theappropriate amount of seed treatment of a specific chemical compositionfor a seed are well known in the seed coating industry (See, forexample, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,632,819 and 5,891,246).

Soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts may be used or processed forfood, animal feed, or a raw material(s) for industry. Soybean is notjust a seed it is also used as a grain. Soybean is widely used as asource of protein for animal feeds for poultry, swine and cattle. Thesoybean grain is a commodity. The soybean commodity plant productsinclude but are not limited to protein concentrate, protein isolate,soybean hulls, meal, flower, oil and the whole soybean itself. Soybeanseeds can be crushed, or a component of the seeds can be extracted inorder to make a plant product, such as protein concentrate, proteinisolate, soybean hulls, meal, flour, or oil for a food or feed product.Methods of producing a plant product, such as protein concentrate,protein isolate, soybean hulls, meal, flour, or oil for a food or feedproduct are provided. Also provided are the protein concentrate, proteinisolate, soybean hulls, meal, flour, or oil produced by the methods.

Oil extracted from soybeans is used for cooking oil, margarine, andsalad dressings. Soybean oil has a typical composition of 11% palmitic,4% stearic, 25% oleic, 50% linoleic, and 9% linolenic fatty acidcontent. Industrial uses of soybean oil, which is typically subjected tofurther processing, include ingredients for paints, plastics, fibers,detergents, cosmetics, lubricants, and biodiesel fuel. Soybean oil maybe split, inter-esterified, sulfurized, epoxidized, polymerized,ethoxylated, or cleaved. To produce oil, the harvested soybeans arecracked, adjusted for moisture content, rolled into flakes, and then theoil is solvent-extracted. The oil extract is refined, optionally blendedand/or hydrogenated. Some soybean varieties have modified fatty acidprofiles and can be used to produce soybean oil with a modified fattyacid composition. Oil with 3% or less linolenic acid is classified aslow linolenic oil, oil with less than 1% linolenic acid is classified asultra low linolenic oil. Oil with 70% or higher of oleic acid isclassified as high oleic oil.

Soybeans are also used as a food source for both animals and humans.Soybeans are widely used as a source of protein for animal feed. Thefibrous hull is removed from whole soybean and the oil is extracted. Theremaining meal is a combination of carbohydrates and approximately 50%protein. This remaining meal is heat treated under well-establishedconditions and ground in a hammer mill. Soybean is a predominant sourcefor livestock feed components. In addition to soybean meal, soybean canbe used to produce soy flour. Soy flour refers to defatted soybeanswhere special care was taken during desolventizing to minimize proteindenaturation and to retain a high nitrogen solubility index (NSI) inmaking the flour. Soy flour is the typical starting material forproduction of soy concentrate and soy protein isolate. Defatted soyflour is obtained from solvent extracted flakes, and contains less than1% oil. Full-fat soy flour is made from whole beans and contains about18% to 20% oil. Low-fat soy flour is made by adding back some oil todefatted soy flour. The lipid content varies, but is usually between4.5-9%. High-fat soy flour can also be produced by adding soybean oil todefatted flour at the level of 15%. Lecithinated soy flour is made byadding soybean lecithin to defatted, low-fat or high-fat soy flours toincrease dispersibility and impart emulsifying properties.

For human consumption, soybean can be used to produce edible ingredientswhich serve as an alternative source of dietary protein. Common examplesinclude milk, cheese, and meat substitutes. Additionally, soybean can beused to produce various types of fillers for meat and poultry products.Vitamins and/or minerals may be added to make soy products nutritionallymore equivalent to animal protein sources as the protein quality isalready roughly equivalent.

DEPOSIT INFORMATION

Applicants have made a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of soybeancultivar EC1661470 with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC)Patent Depository, 10801 University Blvd., Manassas, Va. 20110. The ATCCnumber of the deposit is PTA-127010. The date of deposit was Mar. 22,2021, and the seed was tested on Apr. 9, 2021 and found to be viable.Access to this deposit will be available during the pendency of theapplication to the Commissioner for Patents and persons determined bythe Commissioner to be entitled thereto upon request. Upon granting of apatent on any claims in the application, the Applicants will make thedeposit available to the public pursuant to 37 CFR § 1.808.Additionally, Applicants will meet the requirements of 37 CFR §1.801-1.809, including providing an indication of the viability of thesample when the deposit is made. The ATCC deposit will be maintained inthat depository, which is a public depository, for a period of 30 years,or 5 years after the last request, or for the enforceable life of thepatent, whichever is longer, and will be replaced if it becomesnonviable during that period.

EC1661152

The present invention EC1661152 is employed in a number of plotrepetitions to establish trait characteristics.

The invention is a novel soybean cultivar designated EC1661152 with highyield potential, tolerance to Roundup® herbicide using Roundup Ready 2Yield® and Dicamba herbicide, mid Group 1 maturity. The inventionrelates to seeds of the cultivar EC1661152, plants of the cultivarEC1661152, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced bycrossing the soybean EC1661152 by itself or another soybean genotype.

EC1661152 has shown superior yield in the across the Midwest in testingwhere it averaged 101.2% of Check Mean. It is also superior to the Groupmean across most environmental conditions, with its best performance inCentral Cornbelt environments at 105.0%.

The present invention EC1661152 is a Group 1 Maturity soybean cultivar.This variety has an RM of 1.600. To be sold commercially in the Midwestwhere other Mid Maturity Group I soybeans are grown, especially wherethere is an infestation by Soybean Cyst Nematode and there is thepotential for higher yield levels. It is recommended where protectionprovided by Rps1-k against phytophthora is desired.

The characteristics and traits of the invention are listed below.

TABLE 1 CHARACTERISTICS AND TRAITS Herbicide Transgene MON 87708; MON89788 Insect Transgene Other Transgene Relative Maturity 1.600Sulfonylurea Tolerance Seed Shape Hypocotyl Color Metribuzin ToleranceToler Seed Coat Luster Plant Morphological PLTBr Aphid Gene PeroxidaseLeaf Color % Protein @ 13% mst Seed Size g/100 seeds Leaf ShapeCalculated % Oil @13% mst Growth Habit INDET Leaf Shape Plant HealthPhytophthora Gene Rps1k Stem Canker Tolerance Rust Gene ChlorideSensitivity CLMS SCN Res Source 88788 RootKnot Nematode Sting NematodeR1 R2 R3 R5 R7 R9 R14 Incognita Arenaria Javanica Pratylenchus FI % FI %FI % FI % FI % FI % FI % 8 12 Descriptive traits Performance TraitsFlower Color Purple Phytophthora Gene 1-k Pubescence Color Light TawnyHypocotyl Length Long Pod Color Tan Soybean Cyst Nematode R3 Hilum ColorBrown Plant Height 31.0 inches Leaf Shape Ovate Stem TerminationIndeterminate Seed Coat Color Yellow Hypocotyl Color Purple MaturityGroup 1 Relative Maturity 1.6 SCN = Soybean Cyst Nematode, RKN = RootKnot Nematode Rps gene indicates the specific gene for resistance but ifnone are indicated then none are known to be present. % Protein and %Oil are given at 13% moisture (standard moisture). MON89788 indicatesthis variety carries the glyphosate tolerance transgene derived fromevent MON 89788; MON87708 indicates this variety carries the dicambatolerance transgene derived from event MON 87708. Seed shape: 1 =spherical; 2 = spherical-flattened; 3 = elongate; 4 = elongate-flattenedSeed coat luster: 1 = dull; 2 = shiny Plant Morphological traits arelisted in the order of flower, pubescence, pod color, and hilum. Forflower, P—purple, W = white, and S = segregating (mixture of colors).For pubescence, G = gray, T = tawny, Lt = LT = light tawny, LBr = LB =light brown, and S = segregating (mixture of colors). For pod color, T =tan, B = brown, LBr = light brown, and S = segregating (mixture ofcolors). For hilum, G = gray, BR = Br = brown, MBr = medium brown, BF =Bf = buff, BL = Bl = black, IB = Ib = imperfect black, Y = yellow, IY =Iy = imperfect yellow, S = segregating (mixture of colors). Leaf Color:1 = light green; 2 = medium green; 3 = dark green Ratings are on a 1 to9 scale with 1 being the best. Sting Nematode is Pratylenchus. Chloridesensitivity: CL = chloride, M = molecular marker results, X =segregating, S = susceptible marker allele present, R = resistant markerallele present.

TABLE 2 Agronomic and Disease Traits VHNO Yield Emerge HrvstLod GrnLodMatDays Height Canopy Branch GrnStem IDC S18-G4X 62.1 3.1 3.3 5.5 126.336.5 5.8 5.8 2.6 4.0 S14-A6 61.1 2.6 2.7 3.0 123.0 32.7 5.2 5.1 1.5 5.0CX1803N 60.3 3.2 2.8 3.5 128.5 37.9 4.8 3.8 5.0 4.2 AG17X8 60.1 3.1 3.85.5 125.3 32.2 4.9 3.8 5.1 3.6 GS1609X 60.0 3.1 2.8 3.0 123.3 33.5 5.34.9 3.7 4.6 S18-H3X 59.7 3.3 3.1 4.0 126.0 32.3 5.3 5.9 3.8 4.2EC1661152 58.6 3.1 4.7 6.0 123.8 31.0 5.4 4.8 2.5 4.4 Environments 28.07.0 6.0 1.0 3.0 3.0 10.0 6.0 6.0 4.0 Grand Mean 58.1 3.2 3.3 4.5 124.333.5 5.2 5.4 3.5 4.7 Check Mean 57.9 3.3 3.1 3.9 124.4 33.9 5.0 5.0 3.54.2 LSD (0.05) 2.3 0.4 1.1 2.0 2.5 0.0 0.5 0.9 1.1 1.9 VHNO BSR_R CR_RFELSR PM_R PRR BP_R RUSTR SDS SWM TSP_R S18-G4X #N/A #N/A #N/A #N/A 2.5#N/A #N/A 2.2 3.1 #N/A S14-A6 #N/A #N/A #N/A #N/A 2.8 #N/A #N/A 3.4 3.3#N/A CX1803N #N/A #N/A #N/A #N/A 1.7 #N/A #N/A 2.4 2.4 #N/A AG17X8 #N/A#N/A #N/A #N/A 2.0 #N/A #N/A 2.4 2.7 #N/A GS1609X #N/A #N/A #N/A #N/A3.5 #N/A #N/A 3.4 2.4 #N/A S18-H3X #N/A #N/A #N/A #N/A 2.8 #N/A #N/A 2.85.5 #N/A EC1661152 #N/A #N/A #N/A #N/A 2.2 #N/A #N/A 1.8 3.3 #N/AEnvironments #N/A #N/A #N/A #N/A 3.0 #N/A #N/A 4.0 3.0 #N/A Grand Mean#N/A #N/A #N/A #N/A 2.7 #N/A #N/A 3.4 3.4 #N/A Check Mean #N/A #N/A #N/A#N/A 2.6 #N/A #N/A 2.7 2.8 #N/A LSD (0.05) #N/A #N/A #N/A #N/A 1.5 #N/A#N/A 1.3 2.1 #N/A

As the previous table indicates, each of these lines has their ownpositive traits. Each of these lines is different from the presentinvention.

EC1661470

The present invention EC1661470 is employed in a number of plotrepetitions to establish trait characteristics.

The invention is a novel soybean cultivar designated EC1661470 with highyield potential, tolerance to Roundup® herbicide using Roundup Ready 2Yield® and Dicamba herbicide, early Group 2 maturity. The inventionrelates to seeds of the cultivar EC1661470, plants of the cultivarEC1661470, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced bycrossing the soybean EC1661470 by itself or another soybean genotype.

EC1661470 has shown superior yield in the across the Midwest in testingwhere it averaged 102.2% of Check Mean. It is also superior to the Groupmean across most environmental conditions, with its best performance inthe higher yield environments.

The present invention EC1661470 is a Group 2 Maturity soybean cultivar.This variety has an RM of 2.000. To be sold commercially in the Midwestwhere other Early Maturity Group II soybeans are grown, especially wherethere is an infestation by Soybean Cyst Nematode and there is thepotential for higher yield levels.

The characteristics and traits of the invention are listed below.

TABLE 1 CHARACTERISTICS AND TRAITS Herbicide Transgene MON 87708; MON89788 Insect Transgene Other Transgene Relative Maturity 2.000Sulfonylurea Tolerance Seed Shape Hypocotyl Color Metribuzin ToleranceToler Seed Coat Luster Plant Morphological PGTIb Aphid Gene PeroxidaseLeaf Color 2 % Protein @ 13% mst Seed Size g/100 seeds Leaf ShapeCalculated % Oil @13% mst Growth Habit INDET Leaf Shape Plant HealthPhytophthora Gene S Stem Canker Tolerance Rust Gene Chloride SensitivityCLMS SON Res Source 88788 RootKnot Nematode Sting Nematode R1 R2 R3 R5R7 R9 R14 Incognita Arenaria Javanica Pratylenchus FI % FI % FI % FI %FI % FI % FI % 7 49 Descriptive traits Performance Traits Flower ColorPurple Phytophthora Gene Susc Pubescence Color Gray Hypocotyl LengthLong Pod Color Tan Soybean Cyst Nematode R3 Hilum Color Imperfect BlackPlant Height 32.4 inches Leaf Shape Ovate Stem Termination IndeterminateSeed Coat Color Yellow Hypocotyl Color Purple Maturity Group 2 RelativeMaturity 2.0 SCN = Soybean Cyst Nematode, RKN = Root Knot Nematode Rpsgene indicates the specific gene for resistance but if none areindicated then none are known to be present. % Protein and % Oil aregiven at 13% moisture (standard moisture). MON89788 indicates thisvariety carries the glyphosate tolerance transgene derived from eventMON 89788; MON87708 indicates this variety carries the dicamba tolerancetransgene derived from event MON 87708. Seed shape: 1 = spherical; 2 =spherical-flattened; 3 = elongate; 4 = elongate-flattened Seed coatluster: 1 = dull; 2 = shiny Plant Morphological traits are listed in theorder of flower, pubescence, pod color, and hilum. For flower, P—purple,W = white, and S = segregating (mixture of colors). For pubescence, G =gray, T = tawny, Lt = LT = light tawny, LBr = LB = light brown, and S =segregating (mixture of colors). For pod color, T = tan, B = brown, LBr= light brown, and S = segregating (mixture of colors). For hilum, G =gray, BR = Br = brown, MBr = medium brown, BF = Bf = buff, BL = Bl =black, IB = Ib = imperfect black, Y = yellow, IY = Iy = imperfectyellow, S = segregating (mixture of colors). Leaf Color: 1 = lightgreen; 2 = medium green; 3 = dark green Ratings are on a 1 to 9 scalewith 1 being the best. Sting Nematode is Pratylenchus. Chloridesensitivity: CL = chloride, M = molecular marker results, X =segregating, S = susceptible marker allele present, R = resistant markerallele present.

TABLE 2 Agronomic and Disease Traits VHNO Yield Emerge HrvstLod GrnLodMatDays Height Canopy Branch GrnStem IDC S18-G4X 62.5 3.0 3.5 3.3 120.636.4 6.8 5.0 2.0 4.4 P21A28X 62.4 2.9 2.8 2.7 124.8 34.2 5.3 5.1 2.8 5.8S20-J5X 61.4 2.8 3.6 2.8 122.1 33.3 5.6 5.4 2.8 5.1 AG20X7 61.1 2.9 4.34.5 124.6 34.0 5.6 5.1 3.3 4.9 S22-J4X 60.9 2.9 3.1 2.2 123.4 33.7 5.24.1 2.3 5.9 GS2251X 60.7 3.3 2.9 1.8 124.5 34.1 5.5 4.8 3.3 5.1EC1661470 60.3 3.0 3.1 3.3 121.8 32.4 6.9 5.8 2.5 4.5 Environments 26.08.0 9.0 3.0 9.0 5.0 9.0 3.0 2.0 2.0 Grand Mean 59.8 3.1 3.1 2.9 123.233.4 5.7 5.0 2.4 5.1 Check Mean 60.9 3.1 3.0 2.7 123.6 33.5 5.5 4.9 2.55.3 LSD (0.05) 2.2 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.4 3.8 0.6 0.9 0.7 1.3 VHNO BSR_R CR_RFELSR PM_R PRR BP_R RUSTR SDS SWM TSP_R S18-G4X #N/A #N/A #N/A #N/A 2.0#N/A #N/A 1.6 4.9 #N/A P21A28X #N/A #N/A #N/A #N/A 2.0 #N/A #N/A 2.5 1.6#N/A S20-J5X #N/A #N/A #N/A #N/A 2.5 #N/A #N/A 2.0 3.6 #N/A AG20X7 #N/A#N/A #N/A #N/A 2.0 #N/A #N/A 1.8 4.0 #N/A S22-J4X #N/A #N/A #N/A #N/A2.0 #N/A #N/A 1.8 3.4 #N/A GS2251X #N/A #N/A #N/A #N/A 2.0 #N/A #N/A 2.21.9 #N/A EC1661470 #N/A #N/A #N/A #N/A 2.5 #N/A #N/A 2.1 3.4 #N/AEnvironments #N/A #N/A #N/A #N/A 1.0 #N/A #N/A 5.0 2.0 #N/A Grand Mean#N/A #N/A #N/A #N/A 2.3 #N/A #N/A 2.7 3.3 #N/A Check Mean #N/A #N/A #N/A#N/A 2.1 #N/A #N/A 2.3 3.0 #N/A LSD (0.05) #N/A #N/A #N/A #N/A 0.9 #N/A#N/A 1.2 0.0 #N/A

As the previous table indicates, each of these lines has their ownpositive traits. Each of these lines is different from the presentinvention.

EC1661291

The present invention EC1661291 is employed in a number of plotrepetitions to establish trait characteristics.

The invention is a novel soybean cultivar designated EC1661291 with highyield potential, tolerance to Roundup® herbicide using Roundup Ready 2Yield® and Dicamba herbicide, early Group 2 maturity. The inventionrelates to seeds of the cultivar EC1661291, plants of the cultivarEC1661291, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced bycrossing the soybean EC1661291 by itself or another soybean genotype.

EC1661291 has shown superior yield across the Midwest in testingespecially in the Eastern Cornbelt where it yielded 104.8% of CheckMean. It also shows superior performance in stress environments.

The present invention EC1661291 is a Group 2 Maturity soybean cultivar.This variety has an RM of 2.500. To be sold commercially in the Midwestwhere other Mid Maturity Group II soybeans are grown, especially wherethere is an infestation by Soybean Cyst Nematode and where Phytophthoracan be a problem.

The characteristics and traits of the invention are listed below.

TABLE 1 CHARACTERISTICS AND TRAITS Herbicide Transgene MON 89788; MON87708 Insect Transgene Other Transgene Relative Maturity 2.500Sulfonylurea Tolerance Seed Shape Hypocotyl Color Metribuzin ToleranceToler Seed Coat Luster Plant Morphological WLBBI Aphid Gene PeroxidaseLeaf Color % Protein @ 13% mst Seed Size g/100 seeds Leaf ShapeCalculated % Oil @13% mst Growth Habit INDET Leaf Shape Plant HealthPhytophthora Gene Rps1c Stem Canker Tolerance Rust Gene ChlorideSensitivity CLMS SCN Res Source 88788 RootKnot Nematode Sting NematodeR1 R2 R3 R5 R7 R9 R14 Incognita Arenaria Javanica Pratylenchus FI % FI %FI % FI % FI % FI % FI % 12 88 Descriptive traits Performance TraitsFlower Color White Phytophthora Gene Rps 1-c Pubescence Color LightTawny Hypocotyl Length Long Pod Color Brown Soybean Cyst Nematode R3Hilum Color Black Plant Height 39.4 inches Leaf Shape Ovate StemTermination Indeterminate Seed Coat Color Yellow Hypocotyl Color Greenwith bronze band Maturity Group 2 Relative Maturity 2.5 SCN = SoybeanCyst Nematode, RKN = Root Knot Nematode Rps gene indicates the specificgene for resistance but if none are indicated then none are known to bepresent. % Protein and % Oil are given at 13% moisture (standardmoisture). MON89788 indicates this variety carries the glyphosatetolerance transgene derived from event MON 89788; MON87708 indicatesthis variety carries the dicamba tolerance transgene derived from eventMON 87708. Seed shape: 1 = spherical; 2 = spherical-flattened; 3 =elongate; 4 = elongate-flattened Seed coat luster: 1 = dull; 2 = shinyPlant Morphological traits are listed in the order of flower,pubescence, pod color, and hilum. For flower, P—purple, W = white, and S= segregating (mixture of colors). For pubescence, G = gray, T = tawny,Lt = LT = light tawny, LBr = LB = light brown, and S = segregating(mixture of colors). For pod color, T = tan, B = brown, LBr = lightbrown, and S = segregating (mixture of colors). For hilum, G = gray, BR= Br = brown, MBr = medium brown, BF = Bf = buff, BL = Bl = black, IB =Ib = imperfect black, Y = yellow, IY = Iy = imperfect yellow, S =segregating (mixture of colors). Leaf Color: 1 = light green; 2 = mediumgreen; 3 = dark green Ratings are on a 1 to 9 scale with 1 being thebest. Sting Nematode is Pratylenchus. Chloride sensitivity: CL =chloride, M = molecular marker results, X = segregating, S = susceptiblemarker allele present, R = resistant marker allele present.

TABLE 2 Agronomic and Disease Traits VHNO Yield Emerge HrvstLod GrnLodMatDays Height Canopy Branch GrnStem IDC S29-K3X 65.7 2.6 2.4 2.0 125.336.5 6.4 4.0 2.5 3.0 S30-M9X 65.0 2.8 3.2 1.0 127.5 37.9 5.4 4.8 3.5 5.0AG24X7 64.9 2.1 3.6 3.0 122.4 34.4 6.1 5.0 2.0 7.0 EC1661291 64.0 2.53.9 3.0 121.5 39.4 5.6 4.5 1.8 3.3 S27-M8X 63.5 2.8 2.2 1.0 122.1 33.84.4 4.5 2.5 6.0 P25A70R 63.4 2.4 2.2 1.0 121.5 36.6 4.7 4.2 2.5 5.8AG26X8 63.0 2.4 2.5 3.0 120.2 37.4 5.4 3.8 1.8 5.8 Environments 26.013.0 7.0 1.0 10.0 3.0 6.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 Grand Mean 62.0 2.8 3.6 2.6 122.436.9 5.7 5.1 2.3 4.5 Check Mean 63.2 2.6 3.0 2.0 123.3 36.5 5.5 4.8 2.44.9 LSD (0.05) 2.3 0.4 1.0 0.0 1.3 2.9 0.8 1.1 1.2 0.0 VHNO BSR_R CR_RFELS PM_R PRR BP_R RUSTR SDS SWM TSP_R S29-K3X #N/A #N/A 4.5 #N/A 6.0#N/A #N/A 2.0 5.9 #N/A S30-M9X #N/A #N/A 1.0 #N/A 5.5 #N/A #N/A 2.3 6.1#N/A AG24X7 #N/A #N/A 4.5 #N/A 6.0 #N/A #N/A 3.5 7.8 #N/A EC1661291 #N/A#N/A 3.0 #N/A 4.5 #N/A #N/A 2.3 6.5 #N/A S27-M8X #N/A #N/A 4.5 #N/A 7.0#N/A #N/A 2.2 8.0 #N/A P25A70R #N/A #N/A 2.0 #N/A 6.5 #N/A #N/A 2.8 3.4#N/A AG26X8 #N/A #N/A 3.0 #N/A 4.5 #N/A #N/A 3.5 4.9 #N/A Environments#N/A #N/A 1.0 #N/A 1.0 #N/A #N/A 2.0 1.0 #N/A Grand Mean #N/A #N/A 3.7#N/A 5.6 #N/A #N/A 3.7 5.2 #N/A Check Mean #N/A #N/A 3.7 #N/A 6.0 #N/A#N/A 3.3 5.7 #N/A LSD (0.05) #N/A #N/A 1.1 #N/A 0.0 #N/A #N/A 1.8 0.0#N/A

As the previous table indicates, each of these lines has their ownpositive traits. Each of these lines is different from the presentinvention.

EC1661249

The present invention EC1661249 is employed in a number of plotrepetitions to establish trait characteristics.

The invention is a novel soybean cultivar designated EC1661249 with highyield potential, tolerance to Roundup® herbicide using Roundup Ready 2Yield® and Dicamba herbicide, early Group 2 maturity. The inventionrelates to seeds of the cultivar EC1661249, plants of the cultivarEC1661249, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced bycrossing the soybean EC1661249 by itself or another soybean genotype.

EC1661249 is a Soybean Cyst Nematode and IDC bean that has shownsuperior yield across in the Western Cornbelt.

The present invention EC1661249 is a Group 2 Maturity soybean cultivar.This variety has an RM of 2.800. To be sold commercially in the Midwestwhere other Late Maturity Group II soybeans are grown, especially wherethere is an infestation by Soybean Cyst Nematode and Iron DeficiencyChlorosis is a problem.

The characteristics and traits of the invention are listed below.

TABLE 1 CHARACTERISTICS AND TRAITS Herbicide Transgene MON 87708; MON89788 Insect Transgene Other Transgene Relative Maturity 2.800Sulfonylurea Tolerance STS_U Seed Shape Hypocotyl Color MetribuzinTolerance Seed Coat Luster Plant Morphological PLBBI Aphid Gene Rag1_SPeroxidase Leaf Color % Protein @ 13% mst Seed Size g/100 seeds LeafShape Calculated % Oil @13% mst Growth Habit Leaf Shape Plant HealthPhytophthora Gene Rps1c Stem Canker Tolerance Rust Gene ChlorideSensitivity CLMS SCN Res Source 88788 RootKnot Nematode Sting NematodeR1 R2 R3 R5 R7 R9 R14 Incognita Arenaria Javanica Pratylenchus FI % FI %FI % FI % FI % FI % FI % 6.1 17 MI_S Descriptive traits PerformanceTraits Flower Color Purple Phytophthora Gene Rps 1-c Pubescence ColorLight Tawny Hypocotyl Length Long Pod Color Brown Soybean Cyst NematodeR3 Hilum Color Black Plant Height 35.3 inches Leaf Shape Ovate StemTermination Indeterminate Seed Coat Color Yellow Hypocotyl Color PurpleMaturity Group 2 Relative Maturity 2.8 SCN = Soybean Cyst Nematode, RKN= Root Knot Nematode Rps gene indicates the specific gene for resistancebut if none are indicated then none are known to be present. % Proteinand % Oil are given at 13% moisture (standard moisture). MON89788indicates this variety carries the glyphosate tolerance transgenederived from event MON 89788; MON87708 indicates this variety carriesthe dicamba tolerance transgene derived from event MON 87708. Seedshape: 1 = spherical; 2 = spherical-flattened; 3 = elongate; 4 =elongate-flattened Seed coat luster: 1 = dull; 2 = shiny PlantMorphological traits are listed in the order of flower, pubescence, podcolor, and hilum. For flower, P—purple, W = white, and S = segregating(mixture of colors). For pubescence, G = gray, T = tawny, Lt = LT =light tawny, LBr = LB = light brown, and S = segregating (mixture ofcolors). For pod color, T = tan, B = brown, LBr = light brown, and S =segregating (mixture of colors). For hilum, G = gray, BR = Br = brown,MBr = medium brown, BF = Bf = buff, BL = Bl = black, IB = Ib = imperfectblack, Y = yellow, IY = Iy = imperfect yellow, S = segregating (mixtureof colors). Leaf Color: 1 = light green; 2 = medium green; 3 = darkgreen Ratings are on a 1 to 9 scale with 1 being the best. StingNematode is Pratylenchus. Chloride sensitivity: CL = chloride, M =molecular marker results, X = segregating, S = susceptible marker allelepresent, R = resistant marker allele present.

TABLE 2 Agronomic and Disease Traits VHNO Yield Emerge HrvstLod GrnLodMatDays Height Canopy Branch GrnStem IDC S29-K3X 65.7 2.6 2.4 2.0 125.336.5 6.4 4.0 2.5 3.0 S30-M9X 65.0 2.8 3.2 1.0 127.5 37.9 5.4 4.8 3.5 5.0AG24X7 64.9 2.1 3.6 3.0 122.4 34.4 6.1 5.0 2.0 7.0 S27-M8X 63.5 2.8 2.21.0 122.1 33.8 4.4 4.5 2.5 6.0 P25A70R 63.4 2.4 2.2 1.0 121.5 36.6 4.74.2 2.5 5.8 AG26X8 63.0 2.4 2.5 3.0 120.2 37.4 5.4 3.8 1.8 5.8 EC166124961.7 2.7 3.3 2.0 122.5 35.3 4.9 4.5 1.8 2.5 Environments 26.0 13.0 7.01.0 10.0 3.0 6.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 Grand Mean 62.0 2.8 3.6 2.6 122.4 36.9 5.75.1 2.3 4.5 Check Mean 63.2 2.6 3.0 2.0 123.3 36.5 5.5 4.8 2.4 4.9 LSD(0.05) 2.3 0.4 1.0 0.0 1.3 2.9 0.8 1.1 1.2 0.0 VHNO BSR_R CR_R FELS PM_RPRR BP_R RUSTR SDS SWM TSP_R S29-K3X #N/A #N/A 4.5 #N/A 6.0 #N/A #N/A2.0 5.9 #N/A S30-M9X #N/A #N/A 1.0 #N/A 5.5 #N/A #N/A 2.3 6.1 #N/AAG24X7 #N/A #N/A 4.5 #N/A 6.0 #N/A #N/A 3.5 7.8 #N/A S27-M8X #N/A #N/A4.5 #N/A 7.0 #N/A #N/A 2.2 8.0 #N/A P25A70R #N/A #N/A 2.0 #N/A 6.5 #N/A#N/A 2.8 3.4 #N/A AG26X8 #N/A #N/A 3.0 #N/A 4.5 #N/A #N/A 3.5 4.9 #N/AEC1661249 #N/A #N/A 3.5 #N/A 4.5 #N/A #N/A 3.7 4.1 #N/A Environments#N/A #N/A 1.0 #N/A 1.0 #N/A #N/A 2.0 1.0 #N/A Grand Mean #N/A #N/A 3.7#N/A 5.6 #N/A #N/A 3.7 5.2 #N/A Check Mean #N/A #N/A 3.7 #N/A 6.0 #N/A#N/A 3.3 5.7 #N/A LSD (0.05) #N/A #N/A 1.1 #N/A 0.0 #N/A #N/A 1.8 0.0#N/A

As the previous table indicates, each of these lines has their ownpositive traits. Each of these lines is different from the presentinvention.

Accordingly, the present invention has been described with some degreeof particularity directed to the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. It should be appreciated, though that the present inventionis defined by the following claims construed in light of the prior artso that modifications or changes may be made to the preferred embodimentof the present invention without departing from the inventive conceptscontained herein.

What is claimed:
 1. A plant, a plant part, or a seed of soybean varietyEC1661470, wherein a representative sample of seed of said soybeanvariety EC1661470, has been deposited under ATCC Accession NumberPTA-127010.
 2. A cell of the plant of claim
 1. 3. A soybean plantobtained by transforming the soybean plant of claim
 1. 4. A seed of thesoybean plant according to claim
 3. 5. A method for producing a soybeanseed, said method comprising crossing soybean plants and harvesting theresultant soybean seed, wherein at least one soybean plant is thesoybean plant of claim
 1. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the methodfurther comprises: (a) crossing a plant grown from said resultantsoybean seed with itself or a different soybean plant to produce a seedof a progeny plant of a subsequent generation; (b) growing a progenyplant of a subsequent generation from said seed of a progeny plant of asubsequent generation and crossing the progeny plant of a subsequentgeneration with itself or a second plant to produce a progeny plant of afurther subsequent generation; and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) usingsaid progeny plant of a further subsequent generation from step (b) inplace of the plant grown from said resultant soybean seed in step (a),wherein steps (a) and (b) are repeated with sufficient inbreeding toproduce an inbred soybean plant derived from soybean variety EC1661470.7. An F1 soybean seed produced by the method of claim
 5. 8. An F1soybean seed produced by the method of claim 5 wherein at least one ofthe soybean plants carries a heritable transgenic event.
 9. An F1soybean plant, or part thereof, produced by growing said seed of claim7.
 10. A method for developing a second soybean plant through plantbreeding, said method comprising applying plant breeding to said soybeanplant, or parts thereof according to claim 1, wherein said plantbreeding results in development of said second soybean plant.
 11. Amethod of producing a soybean plant comprising a desired trait, themethod comprising introducing at least one transgene or locus conferringthe desired trait into the soybean plant EC1661470, of claim
 1. 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the desired trait is selected from the groupconsisting of male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance,nematode resistance, pest resistance, disease resistance, fungalresistance, modified fatty acid metabolism, modified carbohydratemetabolism, drought tolerance, abiotic stress tolerance, a site-specificrecombination site, and modified nutrient deficiency tolerances.
 13. Aplant produced by the method of claim 11, wherein the plant has saiddesired trait and all of the morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of soybean variety EC1661470 other than thosecharacteristics altered by said transgene or locus when grown in thesame location and in the same environment.
 14. A method of introducing asingle locus conversion into a soybean plant, wherein the methodcomprises: (a) crossing the EC1661470 plant of claim 1 with a plant ofanother soybean variety that comprises the single locus to produce F1progeny plants; (b) selecting one or more F1 progeny plants from step(a) to produce selected progeny plants; (c) selfing selected progenyplants of step (b) or crossing the selected progeny plants of step (b)with the EC1661470 plants to produce later generation selected progenyplants; (d) crossing or further selecting for later generation selectedprogeny plants that have the single locus and physiological andmorphological characteristics of soybean variety EC1661470 to produceselected next later generation progeny plants; and optionally (e)repeating crossing or selection of later generation progeny plants toproduce progeny plants that comprise the single locus and all of thephysiological and morphological characteristics of said single locus andof soybean variety EC1661470, when grown in the same location and in thesame environment.
 15. A plant produced by the method of claim 14 or aselfed progeny thereof, wherein the plant or selfed progeny thereofcomprises said single locus and otherwise comprises essentially all ofthe physiological and morphological characteristics of soybean varietyEC1661470.
 16. A method of producing a commodity plant product, saidmethod comprising obtaining the plant of claim 1 or a part thereof andproducing said commodity plant product comprising protein concentrate,protein isolate, soybean hulls, meal, flour, or oil from said plant orsaid part thereof.
 17. A seed that produces the plant of claim
 13. 18. Amethod comprising isolating nucleic acids from a plant, a plant part, ora seed of soybean variety EC1661470, ATCC Accession Number PTA-127010,analyzing said nucleic acids to produce data, and recording the data forsoybean variety EC1661470.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the datais recorded on a computer readable medium.
 20. The method of claim 18,further comprising using the data for crossing, selection, oradvancement decisions in a breeding program.